After more than a year away from network television, Friday Night Lights is back on NBC with season four. But, how long will it last? The acclaimed TV show’s always been ratings-challenged. Has it already been cancelled?
Friday Night Lights (FNL) revolves around a high school football team, its players and the surrounding community. The large ensemble cast boasts performers like Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Zach Gilford, Minka Kelly, Taylor Kitsch, Adrianne Palicki, Jesse Plemons, Aimee Teegarden, Gaius Charles, Blue Deckert, Scott Porter, Derek Phillips, Brad Leland, Liz Mikel, Stacey Oristano, Nieko Mann, Kate Krause, Kevin Rankin, Louanne Stephens, Josh McVaney, Pablo D. Flores, Katherine Willis, Joey Truty, and Jeremy Sumpter.
After struggling through two seasons on NBC, it looked like FNL was doomed to become one of those “brilliant but cancelled” series that has their life cut short. Fortunately, NBC and DirecTV went into business together and agreed to share the production costs. Under the agreement, DirecTV gets to air the episodes first. This sometimes frustrates NBC viewers but it’s better than the show not being produced at all.
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After season three, it looked like FNL might be cancelled once again. Surprisingly, DirecTV and NBC renewed the show for two seasons, albeit with only 13 episodes apiece. There was speculation that this would translate into season five being the end for FNL.
Unfortunately, that seems to be the case. Various sources have reported that season five will be the end for FNL. The actors and crew have also been informed that they’re free to find other work once production shuts down in June.
Both NBC and executive producer Jason Katims insist that nothing is official but it’s obvious that the writing’s on the wall — unless of course the episodes bring great ratings for NBC. After three seasons of disappointing numbers, nobody’s expecting that to happen.
Katims is hopeful that FNL will get a sixth season but said, “If it winds up being the final season of the show, then I will feel very, very lucky and grateful that we were able to do as many episodes of a show that is so dear to my heart.”
Fortunately for NBC viewers, they still have 26 episodes of the series ahead of them. And, since the fifth season is still being produced, the cast and crew should have no trouble coming up with a fitting way to end the series. DirecTV is expected to start airing season five in Fall 2010.
What do you think? Any suggestions on how to end Friday Night Lights or should it continue for a sixth season?
Image courtesy NBC.
I have been a coach and health and physical ed. teacher for over 35 years and this show truly depicts life in high schools today. It is the most realistic show that I’ve ever seen. Let’s hope it stays; I love it. It does need a better time slot as Friday night may be a busy night out of the house for many TV viewers.
This is the last show that should be cancelled! Incredible script-writing, actors, character development is especially good, story lines, cinematography – you name it. Top of the line in every way.
This is a great show and if given the proper promotion would find bigger ratings. NBC would rather show reality shows than great shows. Move FNL to USA where your other great shows are NBC Universal.
Why not on USA, like “Criminal Intent?”
Maybe we could start telling all our friends on facebook and twitter. Everyone who loves this show needs to tell everyone. This is the only network show I watch always I rush home from work to watch it. During the week I will say”What is today? 2 days until FNL.” or however many days it is. I couldn’t wait for NBC to air it. People everywhere should watch this show it truly is that great.
The show is great. It’s all in the advertising and placement in the lineup.
Definitely the best show on TV. Everyone I speak with loves this show. If you would advertize more I think you could find a larger audience. Tons of money is spent to advertize numerous foul reality shows…Why not consider funding wonderful shows that have a positive message.
I found FNL on itunes and think it is one of the best shows ever. Totally hooked. So real and down to earth, with real people living life, but always leaving watchers, especially high school age with something to inspire them to push through. Especially Tira’s story. I’m a baby boomer and wish that I had that kind of guidance (on or off TV). I think the show should go for ever. Thanks to the producers, writers, actors an networks. Please keep it going. On of the few decent show with good acting and no garbage.
I think it’s a great program and I watch alot of tv.I think a sixth season would be a very good idea.
I think that the Department of Texas High School Athletics should find some way to ban McCoy’s father and the son from playing Texas HS football. Shut him down!
Let the coach get a job at a big name college and have one of his best players get to go to the college also. It is dissappointing that NBC has such lousy shows normally and when they get a great one, it goes away.
can’t believe this show is gonna end up like this!!! i’ve just finished watching season 4 and it was so awesome!!! this is one of the best shows i’ve ever seen and i think it’s really one of the best tv shows ever!!! c’mon there has to be a way for us fans to make preassure and make possible to rescue it!!!!! what are gonna do without this show??!!! if it’s really going to end after de 5th season i’m gonna miss it so much!!!! c’mon i’m totally looking forward a 6th season!!!!!
By far one of the best shows on TV !!! Certainly looking forward to season six.
I found this series through Netflix and I would sit up for hours going from episode to episode. I couldn’t wait for NBC to start showing the 4th season but it is not in a good timeslot. Thursdays – 10PM – let it have the old slot that was a winner for so many years for ER. It will get it’s audience AND be a great lead in to the local news. Don’t cancel this show – NBC you don’t need to produce something new when you’ve got a winner already in your line-up. Give it a chance!!!!! How about… Read more »
I love this show, it is the best one on TV other than Parenthood. NBC keeps putting it on in crappy time periods so it never got proper footing. Now it is on after the baseball game and we lose time from FNL. I have always been a fan of this show and will continue to the very end.