Friday Night Lights (TV series)

Last updated

Friday Night Lights
Friday Night Lights title card.png
Intertitle, seasons 4–5
Genre
Inspired by Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream
by H. G. Bissinger
Developed by Peter Berg
Starring
Theme music composer W. G. Snuffy Walden
Composers
  • W. G. Snuffy Walden [1]
  • Bennett Salvay
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes76 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Production locations
Cinematography
Running time43 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network
ReleaseOctober 3, 2006 (2006-10-03) 
February 9, 2011 (2011-02-09)

Friday Night Lights is an American sports drama television series developed by Peter Berg and inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger, which was adapted as the 2004 film of the same name by Berg. Executive producers were Brian Grazer, David Nevins, Sarah Aubrey and Jason Katims who also served as showrunner. The series follows a high school football team in the fictional town of Dillon, a small, close-knit community in rural West Texas. It features an ensemble cast led by Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton, portraying high school football coach Eric Taylor and his wife Tami Taylor, a school faculty member. The primary cast includes characters associated with football and high school. The show uses its small-town backdrop to address many issues in contemporary American culture like family values, school funding, racism, substance use, abortion and lack of economic opportunities.

Contents

Friday Night Lights premiered on October 3, 2006. It aired for two seasons on NBC. In May 2007, the series was renewed for a second season to consist of 19 episodes, but due to the writers' strike, it was shortened to 15 episodes. Although the show had garnered critical acclaim and passionate fans, the series suffered low ratings and was in danger of cancellation after the second season. To save the series, NBC struck a deal with DirecTV to co-produce three more seasons; each subsequent season premiered on DirecTV's 101 Network, with NBC rebroadcasts a few months later. [2] The series ended its run on The 101 Network on February 9, 2011, after five seasons. [3] [4] [5]

Though Friday Night Lights never garnered a sizable audience, [6] it was a critical success, lauded for its realistic portrayal of Middle America and deep exploration of its central characters. The show appeared on a number of best lists and was awarded a Peabody Award, a Humanitas Prize, a Television Critics Association Award and several technical Primetime Emmy Awards. At the 2011 Primetime Emmy Awards, the show was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series. Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton also scored multiple nominations for the Outstanding Lead Actor and Actress awards for a drama series. Executive producer Jason Katims was nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series. Chandler and Katims each won the Emmy in 2011. [7]

Background

Inspiration

Friday Night Lights was inspired by H.G. "Buzz" Bissinger's non-fiction book Friday Night Lights: A Town, a Team, and a Dream (1990) and the 2004 film based on it. The book, which explores the 1988 season of the Permian Panthers, a high school football team in Odessa, Texas, was a factual work of documentary journalism. The people featured were not renamed in the book. [8] The Universal Pictures film, which stars Billy Bob Thornton and was directed by Peter Berg, Bissinger's second cousin, based its characters on the residents of Odessa, c. 1988.

Conception

Peter Berg, who directed the film, developed the series, and wrote and directed the pilot episode. Peter Berg by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Peter Berg, who directed the film, developed the series, and wrote and directed the pilot episode.

Once filming on the movie was completed, Berg began to explore adapting the story for television. Berg later said he had regretted having to jettison many of the interpersonal topics from the book because of the time constraints of a feature film. Creating a TV series, particularly one based on fictional characters, allowed him to address many of those elements in-depth. [9]

He decided to set the series in a fictional town of Dillon, Texas, with some characteristics of Odessa. The football team was given the Panthers name. Berg deliberately carried elements from the film to the series, particularly for the pilot, which was closely related to the film. [10] He cast Connie Britton as the wife of head coach Eric Taylor, and Brad Leland as Buddy Garrity, a major businessman and football booster, in roles similar to those they played in the film.

Production

Filming for the show's pilot began in February 2006 in Austin, Texas. Berg said he required filming the pilot and eventually the show in Texas as "a deal breaker" in order to agree to participate weekly in the project. The show features homages to its Texas heritage. In the pilot, Berg featured former Texas Longhorns football coach Mack Brown as a Dillon booster and had a caller to the fictional Panther Radio compare Panthers' coach Eric Taylor to Brown. [11] The pilot referred to much of the surrounding area in its scenes. Football scenes were filmed at Pflugerville High School's Kuempel Stadium and at the RRISD Complex. The Dillon Panther football team and coaches' uniforms were based on the uniforms of the Pflugerville Panthers. Some of the scenes were filmed at Texas School for the Deaf. [12]

Berg's observation of local high school students while preparing to film the movie inspired his development of some of the characters. For example, Jason Street, the character whose promising football career is ended by a spinal injury in the pilot, was inspired by a local event. David Edwards, a football player from San Antonio's Madison High, was paralyzed during a November 2003 game. Berg was at the game when this accident occurred; he was profoundly affected by Edwards' injury and how it overturned his life. Berg set up a similar incident in the pilot. [13]

Performances

While relying on a script each week, the producers decided at the outset to allow the cast leeway in what they said and did on the show. Their decisions could affect the delivery of their lines and the blocking of each scene. If the actors felt that something was untrue to their character or a mode of delivery didn't work, they were free to change it, provided they still hit the vital plot points. [14]

This freedom was complemented by filming without rehearsal and without extensive blocking. Camera operators were trained to follow the actors, rather than having the actors stand in one place with cameras fixed around them. The actors knew that the filming would work around them. Executive producer Jeffrey Reiner described this method as "no rehearsal, no blocking, just three cameras and we shoot." [15]

Working in this fashion profoundly influenced everyone involved with the show. Series star Kyle Chandler said: "When I look back at my life, I'm going to say, 'Wow, [executive producer] Peter Berg really changed my life.'" [16] Executive producer and head writer Jason Katims echoed this sentiment, saying: "When I first came on [the FNL] set, I thought, it's interesting – this is what I imagined filmmaking would be, before I saw what filmmaking was." [17]

Filming

All five seasons of Friday Night Lights were filmed in Austin and Pflugerville. [18] With the show yielding roughly $33 million a year in revenue, [19] other states courted the production company after the state of Texas failed to pay all the rebates it had promised to the show's producers. [18] The Texas legislature authorized funding to match the offers of other states, and the production company preferred to stay near Austin, so the show remained in Texas. [19]

Friday Night Lights is unusual for using actual locations rather than stage sets and sound stage. These factors together with reliance on filming hundreds of locals as extras, gives the series an authentic feel and look. [17]

The producers used a cinéma vérité (documentary-style) filming technique. Three cameras were used for each shoot and entire scenes were shot in one take. In contrast, most productions film a scene from each angle and typically repeat the scene several times while readjusting lighting to accommodate each shot. The first takes usually made the final cut. By filming a scene all at once, the producers tried to create an environment for the actors that was more organic and allowed for the best performances. [20]

The series borrowed the uniforms, cheerleaders, fans and stadium of the Pflugerville Panthers. Producers shot Pflugerville games and used them as game footage in the series. [8] University of Southern California football announcers Pete Arbogast and Paul McDonald provided off-screen commentary during the football game sequences. The facilities, colors and bobcat logos of Texas State University in San Marcos were used as the setting and creative inspiration for the fictional Texas Methodist University. The show features the fictional Herrmann Field, named for George Herrmann, the head coach of the Pflugerville Panthers.

Some scenes were filmed outside Texas. On June 20, 2010, scenes were filmed at Temple University, which was to portray the fictional Braemore College. An episode from Julie's senior year in high school was filmed in the Boston area, at Boston College, [21] Boston University, and Tufts University.

Some scenes at fictional Oklahoma Tech University were filmed at Gregory Gym at The University of Texas at Austin. [22]

Marketing

Promotional website with Toyota. FNL Toyota.jpg
Promotional website with Toyota.

Initially targeted at the youth market, the show emphasized the football element. NBC teamed with social networking site Bebo to create a site that allowed students to upload video and photos, as well as create blogs about their local football teams. Students who participated were eligible for one of 10 $5,000 scholarships. NBC had negotiated with Bebo for network and series promotion on Bebo's network of youth-oriented sites including Piczo, Hi5, Tickle, Ringo, and FastWeb. [23]

To complement this promotion, NBC sent out "School Spirit" kits to 1,000 high schools around the country. These kits included posters, pom-poms, mini-footballs and disposable cameras, all bearing the show's logo. The kits also contained copies of the show's pilot episode on DVD. [24] The network repeated this promotion for its second season promotion, when it teamed with HouseParty.com to send out 1,000 "Party Kits", which contained advance copies of the Season 2 opener along with other promotional material. [25]

NBC also paired with Toyota to create the "Hometown Sweepstakes", in which students could earn cash grants of up to $50,000 for their school's athletics program. It was open to high school students ages 14 to 18 and was designed to draw people to the show's official website, where they could download AOL Instant Messenger icons, screensavers and desktop wallpaper. Students who registered could also download free movie theater passes to special early screenings of the pilot episode. These movie theater screenings took place in 50 cities nationwide and ran until a week before the show premiered on NBC. [26]

In the later part of the season, NBC chose to switch course and pursue the female demographic. The network designed a strategy based on the personal elements of the show, giving the show the tagline, "It's about life". NBC Marketing President Vince Manze stressed that the goal was to assure viewers that the show was family and relationships as well as athletics. The network ran 30-second spots in movie theaters that featured cast members and fans being interviewed about the show. [27]

Cast and characters

Young members of the Friday Night Lights cast FNL YoungCast.jpg
Young members of the Friday Night Lights cast

As a show about the community of Dillon, Texas, Friday Night Lights has an ensemble cast. The show features Panthers' football coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler), who strives to balance his work, family, status in a sometimes confrontational community and his personal ambitions. His family – wife Tami Taylor (Connie Britton), a guidance counselor turned principal at Dillon High, and teenage daughter Julie Taylor (Aimee Teegarden) – are also central to the show. Coach Taylor and Tami are the only two characters to appear in every episode.

Outside of the Taylor family, the show explores the lives of the Dillon high school football players. In the pilot, Coach Taylor's protege and star quarterback Jason Street (Scott Porter) suffers an in-game spinal injury that ends his football career. He faces life as a paraplegic. At first, Street struggles with these disabilities and the upturn of his life. Gradually, he copes with his new reality. Lyla Garrity (Minka Kelly), his girlfriend, undergoes her own changes, making a transition from a Panthers cheerleader to a Christian youth leader.

Because of Street's injury, sophomore Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford), who is quiet and reserved, becomes the Panthers' starting quarterback. He eventually dates the coach's daughter, Julie. Saracen's father is deployed in Iraq, so he is the sole caretaker for his grandmother Lorraine Saracen (Louanne Stephens). Saracen receives little help, except from his best friend Landry Clarke (Jesse Plemons). Star running back Brian "Smash" Williams (Gaius Charles) works to get a college football scholarship. Fullback Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch) struggles with alcoholism and complicated family problems. His older brother Billy Riggins (Derek Phillips), while not his legal guardian, serves as Tim's caretaker. Tyra Collette (Adrianne Palicki) stars as a town vixen who wants to leave Dillon for a better life. Involved with Riggins, Tyra eventually develops a complicated relationship with Landry Clarke.

The fourth and fifth seasons shift focus to the East Dillon Lions, now coached by Eric Taylor. The fourth season introduces several new characters, including Vince Howard (Michael B. Jordan), a talented athlete who has never played football before, but he rises to stardom as the team's quarterback. Luke Cafferty (Matt Lauria) is a running back and is romantically with Becky Sproles (Madison Burge), a beauty-queen hopeful who has complicated family issues; Becky also develops a deep relationship with Riggins. Jess Merriweather (Jurnee Smollett), an East Dillon student who works at her father's restaurant and cares for her three younger brothers; she briefly dates Landry and has a relationship with Vince; and shows aspirations of being a football coach. Hastings Ruckle (Grey Damon) is introduced in the fifth season, a basketball player turned football player, who serves as a receiver for the Lions.

Plot

Season one

Season one revolves around two main events: Coach Eric Taylor beginning as head coach and the injury and paralysis of star quarterback Jason Street in the first game of the season. Coach Taylor's career depends on his ability to get the Dillon Panthers to the state championship, despite the loss of Street. If the team suffers a losing streak, he knows his family will no longer be welcome in Dillon.

Season two

Season two begins with Coach Taylor living and working in Austin as an assistant coach at fictional Texas Methodist University, while wife Tami remains in Dillon with daughter Julie and newborn baby Gracie. The Panthers' new coach, Bill McGregor, creates friction between Smash and Matt by showing blatant favoritism to Smash and alienates many members of the football community. Buddy engineers the firing of the new coach and persuades Taylor to return.

Season three

The season begins with Coach Taylor's having failed to lead the Panthers to another State championship the year before, creating new pressure for him. Quarterback Matt Saracen's position is threatened by the arrival of freshman J.D. McCoy, an amazing natural talent who comes from a rich family with an overbearing father, Joe. Matt eventually moves to wide receiver after Taylor names J.D. McCoy the starting quarterback, but Matt is pushed back into his former role in the playoffs. Matt and Julie Taylor reconcile, and rekindle their romance.

Season four

Season 4 kicks off with Eric Taylor struggling as coach at the underprivileged and underfunded East Dillon High. A new character, Becky, is introduced when Tim Riggins rents a trailer on her mother's property. Becky becomes pregnant by Luke and decides to get an abortion. Matt Saracen moves to Chicago without saying goodbye to his girlfriend or his best friend. Tim Riggins falls back into criminal activity, opens a chop shop, and ends up in jail.

Season five

Billy Riggins joins Coach Taylor as a special teams coach for the East Dillon Lions. Eric Taylor has strong hopes for the team to go to state. Vince's troubles cause his relationship with Jess to take a hit. Buddy Garrity becomes a father again when Buddy Jr. is sent back to Dillon to get help from his father. Julie's college experience is nothing like she imagined. Julie looks for support from Matt Saracen, who is living in Chicago and attending art school. In the end, she moves in with him and they get engaged. Tim is approved for early release. Buddy gives him a job as a bartender at his bar. The series ends with Eric coaching a new high school team in Philadelphia.

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
1 22October 3, 2006 (2006-10-03)April 11, 2007 (2007-04-11) NBC
2 15October 5, 2007 (2007-10-05)February 8, 2008 (2008-02-08)
3 13October 1, 2008 (2008-10-01)January 14, 2009 (2009-01-14) DirecTV
4 13October 28, 2009 (2009-10-28)February 10, 2010 (2010-02-10)
5 13October 27, 2010 (2010-10-27)February 9, 2011 (2011-02-09)

Reception

Critical response

Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler received unanimous praise for their performances throughout the series. Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler crop.jpg
Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler received unanimous praise for their performances throughout the series.

Although the series never had a high viewership, it was met with critical acclaim and has a strong fan-base. On the review aggregator website Metacritic, the first season received a score of 78 out of 100, based on 32 reviews. [28] Virginia Heffernan wrote for The New York Times that "if the season is anything like the pilot, this new drama about high school football could be great – and not just television great, but great in the way of a poem or painting." [29] The Washington Post similarly praised the series as "extraordinary in just about every conceivable way." [30] Bill Simmons, a former columnist for ESPN Magazine implored readers of his column in the September 24, 2007 issue to watch the show, calling it "the greatest sports-related show ever made." [31] Positive reviews also came from USA Today , [32] the San Francisco Chronicle , [33] and international sources, with The Guardian's Jonathan Bernstien calling the pilot "beautifully shot" and the Metro awarding it 4 out of 5 stars. [34]

Throughout its inaugural season, many online journalists responded positively to the show. Matt Roush of TV Guide dedicated several of his "Roush Dispatch" columns to the show calling the last episodes of season one "terrifically entertaining" [35] while Zap2it's Amy Amatangelo asked her readers to "promise to watch [the last 4 episodes of] Friday Night Lights." [36] The show's pilot did, however, receive negative reviews as well. The Philadelphia Inquirer's review was particularly harsh, calling the show a "standard high school sports soap opera." [28]

Season two reviews were considerably less positive than for the first, with the Landry and Tyra murder plot being particularly panned by critics. The Los Angeles Times said that the show had lost its innocence, while The Boston Globe said the event was "out of sync with the real-life tone of the show." [37] [38] Others were more positive, though, with Variety saying "faith should be shown in showrunner/writer Jason Katims" while The New York Times said "to hold Friday Night Lights to a measure of realism would be to miss what are its essentially expressionistic pleasures." [39] [40]

Time Out magazine's Andrew Johnston included the series in his list of the ten best TV shows for both 2006 and 2007, stating "Who'd have thought a tribute to heartland values would turn out to be the most avant-garde show on TV? The music and random close-ups said more than the dialogue in Peter Berg's phenomenal football drama." [41] [42] Time magazine's James Poniewozik named it one of the Top 10 Returning Series of 2007, ranking it at No. 4. In 2007, AOL ranked Friday Night Lights the fifth Best School Show of All Time. [43] The same year, the show placed No. 71 on Entertainment Weekly 's "New TV Classics" list. [44] In 2009, Alan Sepinwall placed it in his "Best of the '00s in TV: Best Dramas" and wrote: "Few shows are as willing to so directly confront the emotions of its characters, aided by central performances — as one of TV's most realistic and loving couples — from Chandler and Connie Britton." [45] The A.V. Club named it the 16th best TV series of the 2000s. [46] In 2010, Kristin Dos Santos of E! Online ranked it number 4 on her list, "Top 20 TV Series of the Past 20 Years". [47]

Friday Night Lights's final season was lauded by critics. Based on 10 reviews, the season obtained a score of 82 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "universal acclaim" [48] and it was included on numerous best lists. Poniewozik ranked it No. 7 on his list of 2011's Top 10 TV Series, saying, "The final season of this drama came down, as you would expect, to a final dramatic game. But the real action was always just as much in the stands". [49] He also ranked the final episode "Always" No. 1 on 2011's Top 10 TV Episodes list. [50] Paste also named it one of the 20 best TV shows of 2011 [51] and Slant Magazine ranked Friday Night Lights No. 10 on its list of 2011's 25 Best TV Shows, concluding "The show's true concerns—obsession, class, family—were articulated beautifully as ever in the quiet, familiar relationships between a town and its team, and a coach and his wife". [52] The Salt Lake Tribune in its list of the Top 10 series of 2011 ranked Friday Night Lights No. 1 explaining "For five seasons, Friday Night Lights was both the simplest and most complex show on TV. It felt like real life, and real life is complicated." [53] TV Guide named the show among its Best TV Shows of 2011 praising the fact that "Friday Night Lights left its fans with the best portrait of a marriage ever on TV". [54] It was also included on The Huffington Post 's [55] and E! Online's [56] 2011's Best TV Shows.

In 2013, the Writers Guild of America ranked Friday Night Lights No. 22 in its of the "101 Best Written TV Series of All Time". [57]

Awards and accolades

Friday Night Lights won a Peabody Award, [58] three AFI awards, an Emmy Award for Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series, an ACE Eddie Award for editing, an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing, a Television Critics Association Award, and has earned multiple Writers Guild of America nominations. The show's two leading actors, Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton, received Emmy nominations for their performances in 2010, while executive producer Jason Katims won two Humanitas Prize awards for writing. [59]

In 2011, after concluding its run, the show was honored by four Emmy nominations and Kyle Chandler won the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and Jason Katims won for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for "Always". [7]

Fan base

Friday Night Lights enjoys what former NBC President Kevin Reilly called a "passionate and vocal [fanbase]". This fan dedication has shown itself in everything from advertisers expressing their support for the show [60] to news outlets getting massive amounts of support mail after running positive pieces about the show. [17]

After some statements made by NBC's Entertainment head Ben Silverman about the future of the show and the fact that everything seemed to point that Friday Night Lights wouldn't return after the writers' strike, fans put together several campaigns. Save FNL Campaign raised money to send footballs and contributions to charity foundations that were related to the show. The Save FNL Campaign raised a total of $15,840 for 18,750 footballs, $2061 for charity, and $924 worth of DVDs for troops stationed overseas. [61]

Television ratings

U.S. ratings

Though it was critically acclaimed, Friday Night Lights never enjoyed high ratings. The first two seasons averaged roughly 6 million viewers each. [62] [63] Ratings dropped in subsequent seasons with the third season averaging 4.6 million viewers, [64] the fourth season with 3.8 million, [65] and fifth season with 3.6 million. [66]

International ratings

The show's pilot, which aired on February 21, 2007, on ITV4, was watched by 26,000 viewers in the UK. This was attributed to the program being aired opposite of the BarcelonaLiverpool football game in the first knockout round of the 2006–07 UEFA Champions League. [67]

DVR ratings

On December 29, 2006 Nielsen Media Research reported the results of having, for the first time, monitored viewers who use a Digital Video Recorder to record shows for later viewing. These ratings, called "live plus seven", include all viewers who use a DVR to record the show and then watch it within a week of its initial airing.

According to the Nielsen numbers, DVR viewers increased Friday Night Lights ratings by 7.5% overall in December. [68] When Nielsen monitored viewers again in April 2007 the increase went up to 17% for the week ending on April 8. [69]

Affluent viewers

On March 5, 2007, Media Life Magazine reported that Friday Night Lights was one of the most popular shows among "affluent viewers" who had little experience playing football. This was determined using a report from Magna Global who in turn used analysis done by Nielsen Media Research. Affluence in the study was determined by yearly income.

In the study, Friday Night Lights tied for the 11th most watched show by affluent viewers. According to the study viewers of the show have a median household income of $65,000 per year. [70]

Distribution

Online episodes

Streaming videos, such as cast interviews and the full episode from the previous week, have been available on NBC.com since the series' inception. In December 2006, NBC expanded this selection to include every episode of the season. The move to offer every episode was made for only a few select shows and represents a marketing push on NBC's part. [71]

In addition to the free ad-support offerings, every episode of Friday Night Lights became available for download on the iTunes Store on February 10, 2007, for $1.99 per episode. As a special promotion, the pilot was initially offered as a free download. [72] The series was available on Netflix through October 1, 2017. [73] The series returned to Netflix in the United States on August 1, 2021. [74]

Syndication

ABC Family acquired syndication rights for the first four seasons and began airing reruns September 6, 2010, [75] but it was pulled on October 18, 2010, due to low ratings. [76] In July 2011, it was announced that ESPN Classic had acquired the rights of all five seasons and started airing the series beginning on July 12, 2011. [77]

In an attempt to bolster series ratings, NBC repositioned reruns of the show to air on its sister network Bravo, during the weeks leading up to the season one finale on NBC. These episodes aired on a schedule of one hour every Friday and three hours every Saturday. Bravo is known to have an audience that is upscale and largely female, which is in line with the new strategy of NBC's then-President Kevin Reilly (now at FOX) for selling the show. [78] When questioned about this strategy, he admitted to having regrets about initially marketing the show incorrectly, saying: "It's been so clear to me that [the marketing for] the show ended up confusing people in terms of what [the public thought] it was supposed to be". He said he felt the show is, at its core, a "women's show", and his wish is that the marketing had reflected that to a greater extent. [60]

Once the 2006–2007 television season ended, NBC planned to air reruns throughout the summer in the hopes of gaining new viewers during the summer hiatus. Despite rising ratings for the reruns, NBC abruptly pulled them from the network's schedule on June 24, 2007. NBC resumed airing reruns in late August/early September, timed to the Season 1 DVD release. [79]

TeenNick acquired the rights in 2015 and began airing the series, in chronological order, on April 10, 2015, with a week-long event in which three episodes aired nightly. [80]

DirecTV

During the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike, NBC Universal's decision to release the Season 2 DVD with only the 15 produced episodes and comments by NBC chief Ben Silverman led to speculation that the show would be canceled. [81]

In March 2008, it was confirmed that NBC had picked up the series for a third season, after a cost-sharing partnership between NBC and DirecTV was struck. The agreement had first run episodes airing exclusively on DirecTV, and the episodes aired on NBC at a later date. [82] Season 3 premiered exclusively on DirecTV channel 101, with the episodes replaying on NBC beginning on January 16, 2009. In March 2009, NBC announced it had renewed the series for two more seasons. [83]

Home media releases

DVD and Blu-ray

The first season was released on DVD in region 1 on August 28, 2007, and in region 2 on October 29, 2007. [84] Special features include deleted scenes from several episodes and a featurette titled "Behind The Lights: Creating The First Season of Friday Night Lights". [85]

The second season was released on DVD in region 1 on April 22, 2008, and in region 2 on February 11, 2013. [86] Special features include deleted scenes from several episodes, audio commentaries for "Last Days of Summer", "Are You Ready for Friday Night" and "There Goes the Neighborhood" and a featurette titled "Friday Night Lights Cast & Producers at the Paley Festival in L.A.". [87]

The third season was released on DVD in region 1 on May 19, 2009, and in region 2 on March 25, 2013. [88] Special features include deleted scenes from various episode and an audio commentary for "Tomorrow Blues". [89]

The fourth season was released on DVD in region 1 on August 17, 2010, and in region 2 on May 20, 2013. [90] Special features include deleted scenes from various episodes, audio commentary for "East of Dillon", and several behind-the-scenes featurettes. [91]

The fifth season was released on DVD in region 1 on April 5, 2011, and in region 2 on August 12, 2013. [92] Special features include deleted scenes from several episodes, audio commentaries for "Don't Go" and "Always", a featurette titled "The Lights Go Out", and a photo gallery. [93]

A complete series box set containing all the episodes and material from the individual season sets was released in region 1 on October 4, 2011. [94]

In March 2016, it was announced that Mill Creek Entertainment had acquired the rights to the series in region 1; they subsequently re-released the first two seasons on DVD on September 6, 2016. [95] On September 26, 2017, Mill Creek Entertainment re-released the complete series on DVD and also released the complete series on Blu-ray for the first time; however, these releases lacked the previously included special features. [96]

Soundtracks

Two soundtracks with music featured on the show were released. The first, Friday Night Lights , was released in 2007, and included music from The Killers, OutKast, and Explosions in the Sky, who had produced the score for the film. The second soundtrack, Friday Night Lights Vol. 2 , was released in 2010, and included the main "Friday Night Lights Theme" by W. G. Walden. The score for both the film and television show, along with all background music and all instrumental music is performed by Explosions in the Sky.

Cancelled film sequel

In July 2011, it was revealed that creator and executive producer Peter Berg was interested in continuing the series, as a feature film. [97] In August 2011, Berg said at a Television Critics Association panel that the Friday Night Lights film is in development. Berg said, "We're very serious about trying to do it", adding that the script was being written. Universal Pictures and Imagine Television would produce the film, with Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton set to return. [98] In May 2013, executive producer Brian Grazer confirmed the film was continuing to be developed. [99] In December 2013, Berg confirmed that a film would not be moving forward. [100]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Chandler</span> American actor (born 1965)

Kyle Martin Chandler is an American actor. Chandler received widespread critical acclaim for his performance as Eric Taylor in Friday Night Lights (2006–2011); he received numerous award nominations for his portrayal of the character and won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2011 for his performance in the show's final season.

<i>Friday Night Lights</i> (season 1) Season of television series

The first season of the American serial drama television series Friday Night Lights commenced airing in the United States and Canada on October 3, 2006, and concluded its 22-episode season on April 11, 2007, on NBC. The series revolves around the Dillon Panthers and their new head coach Eric Taylor as they deal with the pressure of high school football in Texas and everything that comes with it, on and off the field.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jesse Plemons</span> American actor (born 1988)

Jesse Plemons is an American actor. He began his career as a child actor and achieved a breakthrough with his role as Landry Clarke in the NBC drama series Friday Night Lights (2006–2011). He subsequently portrayed Todd Alquist in season 5 of the AMC crime drama series Breaking Bad (2012–2013) and its sequel film El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019). For his role as Ed Blumquist in season 2 of the FX anthology series Fargo (2015), he received his first Primetime Emmy Award nomination and won a Critics' Choice Television Award. He received a second Emmy nomination for his performance in "USS Callister", an episode of the Netflix anthology series Black Mirror (2017).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Street</span> Fictional character

Jason Mitchell Street is a fictional character in the NBC/DirecTV television drama Friday Night Lights, portrayed by Scott Porter. Introduced as the small town "All-American," Jason is the starting quarterback of the Dillon Panthers, with a promising future career, until an injury during the season-opening football game results in paraplegia. Jason's story arc is focused on his adjusting to life and carving out a niche for himself outside of Panthers' football. In Season 3, due to Porter leaving the show, Jason moves to New York City after landing an entry-level position at a sports agency to be near his infant son.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Taylor (Friday Night Lights)</span> Fictional character

Eric Taylor is a fictional character and the central protagonist in the NBC/DirecTV drama television series Friday Night Lights played by Kyle Chandler and is a die-hard Detroit Lions fan. He is introduced as the head coach of the Dillon High School football team, the Dillon Panthers. At the end of the first season, he accepts a position as the quarterback coach at the fictional Texas Methodist University (TMU), where he had served as an assistant coach. After the birth of his second daughter, he leaves TMU in the second season to return to Dillon and once again coach the Panthers. Following a conspiracy by Joe McCoy in season three, Taylor is replaced as Panthers' coach by Wade Aikmen, his assistant, and instead offered the chance to start a new football program at East Dillon High School after Dillon, Texas is redistricted. The character was positively received and was included on several best lists and earned Kyle Chandler a number of award nominations, notably winning an Emmy Award in 2011.

Tami Taylor is a fictional character on the NBC/DirecTV drama Friday Night Lights; played by Connie Britton. She is the wife of the show's main character, high school football coach Eric Taylor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smash Williams</span> Fictional character

Brian "Smash" Williams is a fictional character in the NBC/DirecTV(The 101 Network) drama television series Friday Night Lights portrayed by actor Gaius Charles. He is the starting running back of the Dillon High School Panthers. Considered the most talented player on the roster after quarterback Jason Street, Smash received his nickname from his father after hitting a water heater. Smash is believed to be based on Boobie Miles from the Friday Night Lights book and film.

<i>Friday Night Lights</i> (season 2) Season of television series

The second season of the American serial drama television series Friday Night Lights commenced airing in the United States and Canada on October 5, 2007, and concluded its 15-episode season on February 8, 2008, on NBC. While initially renewed for a 22-episode full season, the show ended production for the season after filming the 15th episode, due to the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike. The series' future was once again placed in doubt as it did not return to production once the strike ended, and it continued to suffer from low ratings in its new Friday at 9:00 pm time slot. However, NBC announced in April 2008 that the show would return for a third season, with first-run broadcasts airing on DirecTV's The 101 Network. The second season was released on DVD in region 1 on April 22, 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Riggins</span> Fictional character from Friday Night Lights

Timothy "Tim" Riggins is a character in sports drama Friday Night Lights, portrayed by actor Taylor Kitsch. Tim Riggins is the fullback/running back of the Dillon Panthers in the television series. His character is similar to Don Billingsley from the original book and 2004 film Friday Night Lights.

<i>Friday Night Lights</i> (season 3) Season of television series

The third season of the American serial drama television series Friday Night Lights began airing in the United States and Canada on October 1, 2008. It was the first season to be aired on DirecTV's The 101 Network. The 13-episode season concluded on The 101 Network on January 14, 2009, and then began its run on NBC two nights later, on January 16, 2009, and concluded its NBC run on April 10, 2009. The show was renewed for two more seasons in March 2009, with both seasons airing in the same format as season 3, containing 13 episodes each. The third season was released on DVD in region 1 on May 19, 2009.

<i>Friday Night Lights</i> (season 4) Season of television series

The fourth season of the American serial drama television series Friday Night Lights commenced airing in the United States and Canada on October 28, 2009. It was the second season to be aired on DirecTV's The 101 Network. The 13-episode season concluded on The 101 Network on February 10, 2010, and then began its run on NBC on May 7, 2010, which concluded on August 6, 2010. The fourth season was released on DVD in region 1 on August 10, 2010.

"Pilot" is the first episode of the sports drama television series Friday Night Lights. The episode premiered on the NBC network on October 3, 2006. It introduces the men and women involved with the Dillon Panthers, a Texas high school football team. In the pilot episode, the team is preparing for the first game of the season, which will be the first game under new head coach Eric Taylor.

<i>Friday Night Lights</i> (season 5) Season of television series

The fifth and final season of the American serial drama television series Friday Night Lights commenced airing in the United States on October 27, 2010. It is the third season to be aired on DirecTV's The 101 Network. The 13-episode season concluded on The 101 Network on February 9, 2011. The fifth season began airing on NBC on April 15, 2011, and concluded on July 15, 2011. The fifth season was released on DVD in region 1 on April 5, 2011.

"Nevermind" is the eleventh episode of the first season of the American sports drama television series Friday Night Lights, inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger. The episode was written by supervising producer Elizabeth Heldens and directed by Jonas Pate. It originally aired on NBC on January 3, 2007.

"Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes" is the nineteenth episode of the first season of the American sports drama television series Friday Night Lights, inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger. The episode was written by executive producer Jason Katims and directed by co-executive producer Jeffrey Reiner. It originally aired on NBC on March 21, 2007.

"Mud Bowl" is the twentieth episode of the first season of the American sports drama television series Friday Night Lights, inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger. The episode was written by co-executive producer Elizabeth Heldens and supervising producer David Hudgins, and directed by David Boyd. It originally aired on NBC on March 28, 2007.

"Are You Ready for Friday Night?" is the third episode of the second season of the American sports drama television series Friday Night Lights, inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger. It is the 25th overall episode of the series and was written by consulting producer Kerry Ehrin and directed by Seith Mann. It originally aired on NBC on October 19, 2007.

"Backfire" is the fourth episode of the second season of the American sports drama television series Friday Night Lights, inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger. It is the 26th overall episode of the series and was written by supervising producer David Hudgins and directed by Jonas Pate. It originally aired on NBC on October 26, 2007.

"May the Best Man Win" is the fifteenth episode and season finale of the second season of the American sports drama television series Friday Night Lights, inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger. It is the 37th overall episode of the series and was written by co-executive producer David Hudgins, and directed by Patrick Norris. It originally aired on NBC on February 8, 2008.

"East of Dillon" is the first episode of the fourth season of the American sports drama television series Friday Night Lights, inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book by H. G. Bissinger. It is the 51st overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Jason Katims, and directed by series developer Peter Berg. It originally aired on DirecTV's 101 Network on October 28, 2009, before airing on NBC on May 7, 2010.

References

  1. Greene, Jayson (July 13, 2011). "The 10 Greatest Music Moments on "Friday Night Lights"". GQ. Archived from the original on January 12, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  2. Ostrow, Joanne (April 2, 2008). ""Friday Night Lights" lives". The Denver Post . Archived from the original on April 15, 2009. Retrieved April 2, 2008.
  3. Bryant, Adam. "Friday Night Lights Set to End After Fifth Season". TV Guide. Archived from the original on February 13, 2010. Retrieved February 11, 2010.
  4. Sepinwall, Alan (August 12, 2010). "Friday Night Lights fifth and final season to premiere Oct. 27". HitFix. Archived from the original on June 22, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  5. Bissinger, Buzz (February 14, 2011). "Turn Out The Lights: The author of 'Friday Night Lights' reflects on a long, resonant run". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on February 13, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  6. Agrawal, Meeta (July 18, 2007). "Tuesday Afternoon Lights". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on February 3, 2008. Retrieved January 25, 2008.
  7. 1 2 Coyle, Jake (September 19, 2011). "At Emmy Awards, 'Friday Night Lights' finally punches through to the end zone". The Associated Press. Archived from the original on March 13, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
  8. 1 2 Samuelson, Ruth (November 9, 2006). "Lights On or Off?". Houston Press. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved March 21, 2007.
  9. "Peter Berg, 'Nights' Manager". NPR. April 11, 2007. Archived from the original on July 23, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2007.
  10. "Exclusive Interview: Connie Britton, of Friday Night Lights". BuddyTV. February 28, 2007. Archived from the original on March 20, 2007. Retrieved March 21, 2007.
  11. Bridges, John (October 2, 2006). "Brown on his cameo in 'Friday Night Lights': Don't blink". Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on October 25, 2006. Retrieved October 8, 2006.
  12. Holloway, Diane (October 1, 2006). "Into the 'Lights'". Austin360. Archived from the original on January 8, 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2007.
  13. Chapman, Glen (August 30, 2013). "Friday Night Lights: the American football drama you don't have to be a sports fan to love". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on August 31, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  14. Ryan, Maureen (March 20, 2007). "Jesse Plemons of 'Friday Night Lights'". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on March 28, 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2007.
  15. Havrilesky, Heather (March 7, 2007). "Bright lights, big pity". Salon.com. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2007.
  16. Rudolph, Ileane (March 27, 2007). "Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton Share the Secret to Their Friday Night Lights Marriage". TV Guide. Archived from the original on June 17, 2011. Retrieved April 11, 2007.
  17. 1 2 3 Ryan, Maureen (March 20, 2007). "The revolutionary 'Friday Night Lights' makes all the right moves". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on March 23, 2007. Retrieved March 21, 2007.
  18. 1 2 "Friday Night Lights Location Crisis Averted". TV Guide. August 24, 2007. Archived from the original on April 9, 2009. Retrieved October 17, 2007.
  19. 1 2 Holloway, Diane (February 18, 2007). "Can Austin stop 'Friday Night' blitz?". Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on April 3, 2007. Retrieved March 21, 2007.
  20. Ryan, Maureen (March 20, 2007). "Jeffrey Reiner, co-executive producer of 'Friday Night Lights'". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on December 26, 2007. Retrieved January 19, 2008.
  21. "Campus digest". Boston College Magazine. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  22. Sepinwall, Alan (June 3, 2011). "'Friday Night Lights' - 'Fracture': Lies, damn lies and tiaras". HitFix. Archived from the original on August 9, 2014. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  23. Johns, Anna (August 30, 2006). "NBC to promote new show on Bebo.com". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2007.
  24. Blum, Laura (August 30, 2006). "NBC Pushes Friday Night Lights on Web". Adweek. Archived from the original on October 10, 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2007.
  25. Finley, Adam (August 24, 2007). "NBC hosting "sneak peek" parties for Friday Night Lights". Archived from the original on May 31, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2007.
  26. "NBC, Toyota Pair to Draw Teens to Friday Night Lights". Chief Marketer. September 22, 2006. Retrieved April 13, 2007.
  27. McDowell, Jeanne (January 11, 2007). "Can This TV Show Be Saved?". Time. Archived from the original on July 9, 2014. Retrieved April 13, 2007.
  28. 1 2 "Friday Night Lights: Season 1 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on December 28, 2012. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
  29. Heffernan, Virginia (October 3, 2006). "On the Field and Off, Losing Isn't an Option". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  30. Shales, Tom (October 3, 2006). ""Friday Night" Kicks Off With A Great Formation". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  31. Simmons, Bill (September 19, 2007). "The Sports Guy: Don't Turn Off the "Lights"". ESPN. Archived from the original on January 17, 2008. Retrieved December 9, 2007.
  32. Bianco, Robert (October 2, 2006). "Football looks warm under 'Lights'". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2007.
  33. Goodman, Tim (October 2, 2006). "'Friday Night Lights' defies expectations and has something to offer all comers". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2007.
  34. "Jonathan Bernstein's aerial view of America". The Guardian. October 21, 2006. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2007.
  35. Roush, Matt (March 21, 2007). "More Touchdowns for Friday Night Lights". TV Guide. Archived from the original on October 14, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2007.
  36. Amatangelo, Amy (March 19, 2007). "TV Gal Courts Trouble". Zap2it. Archived from the original on September 27, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2007.
  37. Paul, Brownfield (October 6, 2007). "'Friday Night Lights': Returning to the heart of Dillon". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 5, 2008. Retrieved January 19, 2008.
  38. Gilbert, Matthew (October 9, 2007). "Can You Forgive "Friday Night"?". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on October 14, 2008. Retrieved January 19, 2008.
  39. Bellafante, Ginia (October 5, 2007). "Randy Teenagers, Troubled Parents, Feverish Thoughts and Even Football". The New York Times . Archived from the original on May 25, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2008.
  40. Levine, Stuart (October 5, 2007). "Review: Friday Night Lights". Variety. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2008.
  41. Time Out New York, 12/28/2006-1/3/2007, p. 150.
  42. Time Out New York, 12/27/2007-1/2/2008, p. 153.
  43. "Best School Shows of All Time". AOL. August 26, 2008. Archived from the original on May 17, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  44. "The New Classics: TV". Entertainment Weekly. June 18, 2007. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  45. Sepinwall, Alan (December 21, 2009). "Best of the '00s in TV: Best Dramas". The Star-Ledger . Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  46. A.V. Club Staff (November 29, 2009). "The Best TV series of the '00s". The A.V. Club . Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2011.
  47. Dos Santos, Kristin (May 28, 2010). "And the Best TV Series of the Past 20 Years Is..." E! Online. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
  48. "Friday Night Lights: Season 5 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
  49. Poniewozik, James (December 7, 2011). "The Top 10 Everything of 2011 – Friday Night Lights". Time . Archived from the original on September 29, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
  50. Poniewozik, James (December 7, 2011). "The Top 10 Everything of 2011 – Friday Night Lights, 'Always'". Time . Archived from the original on August 28, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
  51. Jackson, Josh (December 1, 2011). "The 20 Best TV Shows of 2011". Paste . Archived from the original on December 5, 2011. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  52. "The 25 Best TV Shows of 2011". Slant Magazine . December 12, 2011. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  53. Pierce, Scott D. (December 16, 2011). "Top 10 TV: 'Friday Night Light's' the top show in a year of zombies, TV families and cliffhangers". The Salt Lake Tribune . Archived from the original on January 8, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  54. "The Best TV Shows of 2011". TV Guide . Archived from the original on January 6, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  55. Ryan, Maureen (December 15, 2011). "Best TV Shows of 2011: 'Community', 'Homeland' & More". The Huffington Post . Archived from the original on January 1, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  56. Mullins, Jenna (December 9, 2011). "Top 10 TV Dramas of the Year – Friday Night Lights". E! Online . Archived from the original on August 2, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
  57. "'101 Best Written TV Series Of All Time' From WGA/TV Guide: Complete List". Deadline Hollywood . PMC. June 2, 2013. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
  58. "Friday Night Lights". The Peabody Awards. May 2007. Archived from the original on March 10, 2015. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  59. ""Friday Night Lights" (2006) - Awards". Internet Movie Database. Archived from the original on March 22, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  60. 1 2 Ryan, Maureen (March 20, 2007). "Kevin Reilly of NBC talks 'Friday Night Lights' (and a little '30 Rock')". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on March 28, 2007. Retrieved April 11, 2007.
  61. "Fans Eagerly Taking Part in "Save Friday Night Lights" Campaigns". BuddyTV. February 27, 2008. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  62. "SEASON PROGRAM RANKINGS (WE 6/3)". ABC Medianet. June 5, 2007. Archived from the original on January 7, 2009. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  63. "SEASON PROGRAM RANKINGS (THROUGH 5/25)". ABC Medianet. May 28, 2008. Archived from the original on April 13, 2010. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  64. "SEASON PROGRAM RANKINGS (THROUGH 5/17)". ABC Medianet. May 19, 2009. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  65. Gorman, Bill (June 16, 2010). "Final 2009-10 Broadcast Primetime Show Average Viewership". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  66. Gorman, Bill (June 1, 2011). "2010-11 Season Broadcast Primetime Show Viewership Averages". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 25, 2011. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  67. Tryhorn, Chris (February 22, 2007). "ITV4 sports drama fails to score". The Guardian. Archived from the original on October 2, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2007.
  68. "'Studio 60' Gets Bump from DVRs". Zap2it. December 29, 2006. Archived from the original on October 12, 2008. Retrieved April 1, 2007.
  69. Mitovich, Matt (April 26, 2006). "DVRs "Play" Most with House and Office Ratings". TV Guide. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  70. Robertson, Ed (March 5, 2007). "In their TV tastes, the rich are different". Media Life Magazine. Archived from the original on March 16, 2015. Retrieved March 20, 2007.
  71. Goldman, Eric (December 21, 2006). "Watch All of Heroes, 30 Rock and Friday Night Lights For Free". IGN. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2007.
  72. Love, Brett (February 7, 2007). "Friday Night Lights pilot free on iTunes". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on May 31, 2012. Retrieved March 20, 2007.
  73. Lowe, Lindsay (October 2, 2017). "Netflix October 2017: So Many Shows Are Leaving Netflix This Month, and We're Not OK With It". Parade. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
  74. Cella, Jayson (July 21, 2021). "'Friday Night Lights' Is Coming Back to Netflix in August". Collider. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  75. Stanhope, Kate (May 25, 2010). "ABC Family Scores Rights to Friday Night Lights". TV Guide. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  76. Ausiello, Michael (October 18, 2010). "ABC Family sacks "Friday Night Lights"". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 22, 2010. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  77. Seidman, Robert (July 11, 2011). "ESPN Classic is the New Cable Home for 'Friday Night Lights'". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 26, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  78. Goetzl, David (March 16, 2007). "Bravo Reruns 'Friday Night Lights' To Enhance Visibility". MediaDailyNews. Archived from the original on June 3, 2015. Retrieved April 11, 2007.
  79. Mitovich, Matt (June 26, 2007). "Lights Out for Friday Night's Sunday Repeats". TV Guide. Retrieved June 26, 2007.
  80. "Small Town Texas, Big Town Drama, Friday Night Lights". TeenNick. March 30, 2015. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  81. Ausiello, Michael (February 1, 2008). "UPDATED! Friday Night Lights Over... But Not Out?". TV Guide. Archived from the original on March 16, 2009. Retrieved February 8, 2008.
  82. Finke, Nikki (March 5, 2008). "EXCLUSIVE: NBC Picking Up 'Friday Night Lights' After Partnering With DirecTV". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 3, 2010. Retrieved March 26, 2008.
  83. Elber, Lynn (March 31, 2009). "NBC renews 'Friday Night Lights' through 2011". USA Today. Archived from the original on June 1, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
  84. "Friday Night Lights - Season 1". Amazon.co.uk. October 29, 2007. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  85. Lambert, David (June 23, 2007). "Friday Night Lights – Season 1 Extras for $29.98 SRP? Score!". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
  86. "Friday Night Lights - Season 2". Amazon.co.uk. February 11, 2013. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  87. Lambert, David (February 28, 2008). "Friday Night Lights - We Nailed It! FNL-S2 Release Date Confirmed; Specs & Extras Announced". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2011. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
  88. "Friday Night Lights - Season 3". Amazon.co.uk. March 25, 2013. Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  89. McGaughy, Cameron (May 18, 2009). "Friday Night Lights: The Third Season". DVD Talk. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
  90. "Friday Night Lights - Season 4". Amazon.co.uk. Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  91. McGaughy, Cameron (August 17, 2010). "Friday Night Lights: The Fourth Season". DVD Talk. Archived from the original on June 1, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  92. "Friday Night Lights - Season 5". Amazon.co.uk. Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2013.
  93. McGaughy, Cameron (June 17, 2011). "Friday Night Lights: The Fifth Season". DVD Talk. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
  94. Lambert, David (July 13, 2011). "Friday Night Lights – Press Release Announces 'The Complete Series' on DVD". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on January 14, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
  95. Lambert, David (July 1, 2016). "Mill Creek Schedules Re-Releases of 'The 1st Season,' 'The 2nd Season'". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on July 3, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  96. Lambert, David (September 11, 2017). "Friday Night Lights - Penalty Flag! 2 Week Delay on 'The Complete Series' for DVD, Blu-ray". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on September 26, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  97. Ausiello, Michael (July 15, 2011). "Exclusive Details: Friday Night Lights May Continue… On the Big Screen". TVLine. Archived from the original on May 12, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  98. "TCA: Peter Berg Confirms 'Friday Night Lights' Movie In The Works, 2012 Start Eyed". Deadline Hollywood. August 1, 2011. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  99. Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 16, 2013). "Cannes: Brian Grazer, Ron Howard Introduce Imagine 2.0; A Pele Pic On The Croisette, A Crowd-Funded 'Friday Night Lights', 'Dark Tower', Jay-Z And One Angry White Whale". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 12, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  100. Ausiello, Michael (December 9, 2013). "Friday Night Lights Movie Is Dead". TVLine. Archived from the original on December 9, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2013.