Friday Night Lights - TV Fanatic

Peter Berg Confirms Plans for Friday Night Lights Movie

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:38:28 EST

On one hand, the series ended so perfectly. On the other... who could possibly not get excited about more of Coach, Mrs. Coach, clear eyes and really full hearts?

At yesterday's session of the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour, Friday Night Lights producer Peter Berg confirmed plans to turn take this drama to the big screen. He told reporters:

"We have a real good script idea... We’re very serious about doing it. We intend to do it... [the] goal would be to focus the film around Kyle and Connie and bring [in] some new characters and then bring in some of our familiar faces. We have, I think, a really fresh, very original take on it."

Is there more out there for Tim Riggins and company?

Berg said he hopes to begin filming in the next year.

It's hard to imagine how a show that specialized in subtly and nuance could deliver the same kind of raw emotion to a movie theater. But it's also hard not to trust the people involved.

Do you wanna see a Friday Night Lights feature film?

Friday Night Lights Review: Clear Eyes. Full, Sad Hearts.

leigh.raines@gmail.com (Leigh Raines) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 21:00:00 EST

Where to begin to say goodbye to such an incredible series? In "Always," the time came for the lights to go out in Dillon. And you bet your ass I was misty-eyed.

Friday Night Lights has always had incredible writing (minus the season two murder plotline, of course), so it came as no shock that it produced an episode so full of heart, one that allowed us to come full circle in so many ways. The player interviews under the tents mimicked the same scenes in the pilot, except this time it was Vince and not Jason Street. It was a wonderful way to bookend the series and stay true to the story of these people.

We got to revisit the Alamo Freeze, the site of so many Dillon memories. But forget the ice cream sundaes with jimmies, Matt Saracen had a serious question for Julie Taylor. The engagement was just so raw and real, no fancy pretenses. My first tears of the episode flew when Matt said it was Grandma Saracen's ring. I mean, who doesn't get emotional about Grandma Saracen?

Tami and Eric continued to argue, with Coach more pissy and tense than usual. Still, it's funny when he gets that way. It was hard not to laugh when he barked at Saracen.

But there are few things more troubling on television that Eric and Tami not getting along. They are too strong of a core duo to be at odds. It was seriously disturbing. 18 years...

When Coach and Tami took Matt and Julie out to dinner to discuss the engagement, the scene became more about the Taylors than the young couple. How can you possibly feel authentic as a role model to your daughter when you're just lying to yourself and fighting with your spouse?

Elsewhere, Tim finally brushed that chip off of his shoulder. Billy is family and family is important. I loved the scene with Tim taking Stevie to practice and teaching him about boosters and rally girls. Texas football is Texas football and Stevie is bound to follow in the Riggins' footsteps. Coach remarked to Tim that he'll always be there if he needed anything and, once again, I'm tearing up about these characters.

Tyra wanted to celebrate with Matt and Julie. Tim cheered to the new Mr. and Mrs. Saracen, prompting a classic with him chugging from a bottle of Jack Daniels. Tyra and Tim may not have been romantic for a few years, but, as Tyra remarked, she's been in love with him since she was five years old. It's not easy to shake something like that and these two have an undeniable chemistry.

It was slightly hard to focus on the newer characters with my old favorites around, but there were definitely some standout scenes: Becky moving out and embracing Mindy. Vince taking care of his mother and the amazing sense of pride she has for her son. There was even a brief appearance of his father at State. We also had Coach telling Vince how proud he is of him and Vince telling Coach he's changed his life. Michael B. Jordan is just phenomenal.

Most importantly, Coach realized that it is Tami's turn. Why should he go back and work for a team that fired him for no reason? As much as he loves his players, he loves his wife more. When he asked Tami to take him to Philly, my heart squeezed a little. Sometimes I think Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton are married in real life.

Maybe some people will think that the most important part of this episode was that the Lions won State. They overcame odds and achieved their dream. But for me, Friday Night Lights has never really been about football. It's been about family, community, and, most of all, heart. Season five delivered the latter in droves.

Flash forward eight months and Vince is now a Panther. Billy is one of his coaches and Buddy's back to putzing around in a golf cart with the boosters. Matt and Julie are living together in Chicago. Becky kisses Luke goodbye as he takes off to serve in the army. Coach and Tami are living their new life in the northeast. And last, but not even close to being least, Tim and Billy Riggins are building Tim's house together, throwing back beers, and watching a perfect pink Dillon sunset. Everyone may have gone their separate ways, but there's one thing we can all agree on: Texas Forever.

Friday Night Lights, thanks for the ride. Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose. Always.

That's Rich: Turning Out the Friday Night Lights

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 10:35:50 EST

Friday Night Lights may not be my favorite drama of all-time. But I can't think of another show in which I've felt more invested in the characters.

I welled up when Vince hugged Coach last week. I cheered louder than Grams when Saracen came home. I've watched Eric and Tami navigate the most successful, realistic, loving marriage in TV history on a weekly basis for five seasons and I'll be incredibly sad when it all ends tonight.

Largely due to the unique shooting style and freedom given to the actors (explained by Michael B. Jordan in this TV Fanatic exclusive), I'll miss Friday Nights Lights because...

... it features a main character who often has fewer lines in an episode than any other regular. As Eric Taylor, Kyle Chandler often says it all with one look, whether it's a look of consternation over events at home, or anger over a miscue on the field. Never has one man said so much by saying so little.

... this same man is one of the funniest people on TV. I'm not kidding. Note the way he quickly and casually greets Santa Claus on tonight's finale, or the exasperated way he fought with his wife on the way to the airport two weeks ago ("You're kicking my ass here!"). It's not intentional on the character's part, but I have no doubt it is on the show's part: there are few funnier scenes on television that Eric trying to get control of an out-of-control household.

... with the exception of one season two storyline that all fans pretend never existed, the show hasn't resorted to melodrama. There are no real twists or turns, no affairs, no explosions, no major cliffhangers. We've simply been treated to character portrayals that truly take us inside the hearts and minds of small-town residents who have never felt so real. Best case in point: "The Son."

... the football was actually the worst part of the show. Every game came down to the final moments, Coach was always somehow out of timeouts, there were far too many running plays with the clock winding down and the team constantly pulled out miraculous victories. Why is this a positive? Because it goes along with the main FNL theme: life is about a lot more than football.

... the show made a seamless transition from season three to season four despite bidding farewell to over half its regulars. Find me another series that could pull that off.

... "Your hand in Mine" by Explosions. I've never not smiled throughout the opening theme music.

... Eric and Tami. There's simply never been a fictional relationship quite like this one. Two people, in one happy marriage, who bicker over common topics (e.g. purchasing a home) and yet remain happy, in love, respectful and, most impressive of all, interesting. A series can't feature two people that remain together for good? There's not enough entertainment value in that? Thank you, Chandler and Connie Britton, for proving otherwise.

Thanks for reading. Follow me on Twitter for the latest news and views from the TV world!

Friday Night Lights Exclusive: Michael B. Jordan on Playing Vince, Saying Goodbye

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 12:35:19 EST

We know one thing to expect on the Friday Night Lights series finale, which airs in a few days: tears. Many, many tears. What else can fans look forward to?

I posed that question to Michael B. Jordan this week.

"Old faces return," the actor behind Vince Howard said. "There are final goodbyes and a few hellos. It does a really good job of wrapping up storylines and giving a sense of closure, while also leaving viewers wanting more."

Jordan, of course, didn't even enter the Dillon picture until three seasons in. He said he was nervous about joining such a "well-oiled machine," but he met Brad Leland (Buddy Garrity) in a Mexican restaurant one day and was quickly assured the FNL experience would unlike any other in his career.

Leland was right.

"The first scene I shot was incredible," Jordan said. "It' amazing, the amount of freedom we have. They encourage us to bring something to the table each day. There are no marks, the set is our world and the cameras adjust to what we do."

The result of such unique filming has allowed Friday Night Lights to feel more real and more organic than any show in memory. Jordan has played a major role in these raw moments on season five, sharing heavy scenes with Cress Williams, who plays Vince's troubled father.

"He's amazing. We just clicked right away," Jordan said of his co-star. "The thing is, Cress is really tall. But he plays the role sort of hunched over. But when he gets upset of angry, he stands upright and it's like: oh shit."

Then there's Kyle Chandler, of course, the heart and soul of the series. Jordan compares scenes with him to a "game of tennis with one of the best in the world. Can you keep the volley going?"

Tragically, Friday Night Lights comes to an end this week, but Jordan will keep the momentum of his career going by reprising the role of Alex this fall on Parenthood.

"He had it all together last season, as he was sort of auditioning for the family," Jordan said of that character. "He's more comfortable now, but you have to wonder: How long will things remain peaceful?"

Aside from his memorable TV roles - The Wire, Friday Night Lights and Parenthood?!? - Jordan will be featured twice on the big screen next year: First in Chronicle, which is just wrapped in South Africa; and then George Lucas’ Redtails, which tells the story of African American pilots in World War II.

First, however, his right arm will be needed for a few big throws in the Texas State Championship. Bring a box of tissues.

Friday Night Lights ends its run on July 15. I'll post a tribute to the show later this week and the TV Fanatic review will be live the instant this episode concludes.

Friday Night Lights Finale Promo & Clips: Going to State and Beyond

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 10:18:47 EST

Will the Lions win State? Will Vince's father attend the big game? Will Eric and Tami remain in Dillon? Will I be able to make it through the entire Friday Night Lights episode without crying... more than four times?

Many questions will be answered when this NBC drama says goodbye in a few days. Below, fans of the spectacular series can get an early look at "Always" via one official promo and three clips.

Friday Night Lights Finale Promo

Friday Night Lights Clip - We've Got a Problem

Friday Night Lights Clip - Tim and Coach

Friday Night Lights Clip - State!

Friday Night Lights Review: "Texas Whatever"

leigh.raines@gmail.com (Leigh Raines) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 21:09:41 EST

Double the Riglets, double the fun? Not in Mindy's eyes! The discovery that she's having twins was just one of many difficult revelations in"Texas Whatever," the penultimate episode of Friday Night Lights.

Sh*t is going DOWN in Dillon, ya'll. Consider:

Tami has an offer to be the Dean of Admissions from a private university in Philadelphia. Coach is about to go to State with a team that won't even exist next year. Arrangements and preparations are being made behind people's backs and it's not the ideal time to pit the Taylors against each other. These two have always been the pillar of strength on all that is FNL. If they're falling apart, what hope is there for everything else?

Tami is right, she's been a coach's wife for 18 years, they should be able to look outside of football for once. However, Coach is about to take the Lions to State and is facing the elimination of his football program. The merger of the Panthers and Lions brings about a lot of uneasiness. Mindy and Billy are having twins, but now Billy might be out of a job.

By the end of the episode, we know that the Lions have been cut. Vince will likely be the star quarterback of the Dillon Panthers next year and the Panthers have already approached Buddy to make coaching arrangements. The impact of the decision scene was driven home by revisiting the season one song "Devil Town." Does it get any more on point than that?

There was a lot of heat on Coach and Tami, but to me, the two standout characters this week were Buddy and Tim. Buddy has no actual position with either football team, yet he has more influence than the people who actually run stuff. The Panthers knew they had to go to Buddy to get to Eric and Eric wouldn't have even considered going back to coaching the Panthers if it weren't for Buddy. The way he was creepily sitting in Eric's car after the announcement cracked me up. Buddy is such a big piece of the heart of Dillon.

The other standout was obviously Tim Riggings. Why? It's mothereffing Tim Riggins! People think he is this trouble-making dumb jock, when really he went to jail so his nephew could have a father. He gives the best advice to everyone around - his scene with Luke, telling him how he needs to play state like he's lacing up for the last time? I mean, I would buy a book called "The Tao of Tim Riggins."

He's a simple guy with a huge heart. He's lived through a lot at a young age, he's strong, he cares about his loved ones and he's loyal. It also seems that he's grown up. After years of being a casanova, he knows who really counts in his life. I was so glad to see Tyra in this week's episode. If anyone was going to talk some since into Tim, it was her.

Also glad to see Julie back and a very late appearance by Saracen. Although Grandma's clearly not doing too well.

I can't believe next week is the last episode of Friday Night Lights. Be prepared for a long review, with several crying breaks in between!

Friday Night Lights First Look: The Return of Tyra, The Future of Dillon Football

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 10:24:07 EST

It's incredibly depressing, but true: only two new episodes of Friday Night Lights remain.

Coming off yet another emotional hour, the NBC drama airs "Texas Whatever" this week, an installment that will decide the future of football in Dillon. It will also feature Eric receiving an offer he can't refuse, along with the return of Tyra.

As previewed here, look for her to help Tim figure out his future.

Texas Whatever Promo

Friday Night Lights Review: "The March"

leigh.raines@gmail.com (Leigh Raines) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 21:00:00 EST

As amazing as it is to have Tim Riggins back, this isn't the Riggins that we know and love.

Of course, after spending time in prison for his brother's crime, we can't expect him to be the same. In "The March," we see just how much it's changed him.

It must be difficult for Tim to come home and see Billy leading the life he wants, having a family, and being part of a team. The scene with the Lions on the lawn doing the war chant, was probably the only time he cracked a smile, yet it was bittersweet.

It's also hard to see Billy let Becky spiral down the path of working at The Landing Strip when he begged him to watch over her. It's an odd love between Becky and Tim as she sees him romantically and he sees her as a little sister.

The bottom line is that he cares, something that was very much evident from the throwdown between the Riggins brothers in the parking lot.

There were a lot of confrontations in tonight's episode. The other standout was between Vince and Ornette, who has fallen off the wagon with his drinking, possession of drugs, assaulting Regina, and suspiciously making purchases he can't afford.

It's sad to see a family reconnecting only to be torn apart by the actions of a selfish man.

The upside is that it makes the relationship between Vince and his mother even stronger. Michael B. Jordan is truly the star of Friday Night Lights' final season and one of the strongest actors I've seen to date.

Now that our Lions made it all the way to State, we find out that the district of Dillon has to make major budget cuts and will be eliminating one of the football programs next season.

Will it be the underdogs who are about to take State? Or the the Panthers who have held the reigning power of Dillon for years?

With only one episode left until the finale, tensions are high as everything can change in the blink in the eye. It also looks like Coach will have to deal with the fact that his wife's dreams go beyond being a high school guidance counselor and she's gotten the opportunity of a lifetime.

Friday Night Lights Review: "Don't Go"

leigh.raines@gmail.com (Leigh Raines) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 21:00:00 EST

Now that we're in the home stretch of Friday Night Lights' final season, there's not a single episode that doesn't get me all misty eyed. Add Tim Riggins' parole hearing into the equation and my tear ducts were a lost cause.

In "Don't Go," one of the most beloved characters from Dillon, Texas returned to our TV screens. When I saw Tim in his prison jumpsuit I felt a pang of sadness.

The unshakable Tim Riggins, who's persevered through more than I can list, has visibly changed. His spirit is broken and after what he's been through, I don't blame him.

Although Tim seemed apathetic and almost dead inside, I was completely moved by the speeches at his hearing. Billy's sweaty panic showed his guilt, Coach was as steadfast and reliable as ever, and Buddy Garrity blew my socks off.

Buddy used to practically ban Tim from his house, but when push comes to shove, he knows Tim has heart and spirit that is virtually unmatched in their little town of Dillon.

Better yet, he was willing to guarantee him a full-time job upon his release.

The theme of this week was rebuilding. Just as we saw Tim get released on parole and start putting his old life back together, the Lions were doing some rebuilding of their own. Putting the petty drama in the past, Luke realized that maybe football didn't have to be the be all and end all when it came to his future.

Vince realized that his father did not have his best interests at heart. Coach found his way back to his team after entertaining the idea of accepting a college position.

The athletic banquet was truly a tribute to a great coach.

There's a huge difference between way the Panthers and the Lions appreciate Coach. I know I love my Panthers, but the Lions admire Coach with a sense of genuine gratitude that the hotshots at West Dillon never really had.

They were entitled, as opposed to the Lions, who basically owe Coach for saving them. In Vince's case, he knew he could be far worse off and that led to him pleading with Coach not to go.

Ultimately, Eric Taylor told the press and all of Dillon that he wasn't going to leave after all. However, it looks to me like his wife Tami could be headed in a new direction that may or may not include Dillon in her future.

Perhaps as people have suggested, the whole Epyck storyline was to show us how strong of a counselor Tami really is. It was an honor for her to get chosen as a panelist at a college discussion. You can see the passion she has for helping students.

I don't know where everyone will end up, but I know the Lions are headed for playoffs and I'll be on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens next.

Extended Friday Night Lights Promo: The Return of Riggins!

matt@mediavine.com (Matt Richenthal) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 14:38:14 EST

It's depressing but true: we're nearing the end of Friday Night Lights.

Coming off a strong episode, the series will move ahead with "Don't Go" this week, an installment highlighted by the return of Tim Riggins. Number-33 will make an appearance again at his parole hearing.

Elsewhere: an powerhouse college football program true to lure Eric away from East Dillon, while the high school holds a Fall Sports Banquet.

Check out an extended trailer for the episode below:

Don't Go Preview