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.
This is one of the top 5 seies on TV. It wouls be a shame to cancel this show. Bring it back for many more seasons
i think the powers thAT BE SHOULD PULL THE HEADS OUT OF THEIR ASS AND LOOK AT WHAT A PRICELESS JEWEL OF A SHOW THEY HAVE. i WATCH WITH MY HUSBAND, NY 16 YR AND 12 YR OLD DAUGHTERS AND WE ARE JUST MYSTIFIED AS WHY THEIR WILL BE NO 6TH SEASON. REALLY???? i’M STILL GOING TO HOLD OUT HOPE THAT SOME BRAVE LEADER OF NBC WILL HAVE THE BALLS TO PUT THIS GREAT SHOW BACK ON AND SELL IT LIKE THEY DO THE OTHER CRAP THEY FORCE US TO WATCH. bEST SHOW ON TV AND THEY CANCEL IT. SERIOUSLY….SOMEONE… Read more »
My husband and I love this show. Please do what you can to save it. The cast and storyline are so good. I was so upset when it had to end last night. Looking forward to watching the reruns when NBC shows it later on in the spring.
I live in the Uk and think that FNL is one of the better shows to come out from the US. I am not an American football fan, but this show was more than just about football. With great story lines I became an avid fan and am very upset that there will no series 6.
FNL brings me back to my high school days; fun and unpredictable. I agree that NBC should continue airing the show for a sixth season. Plus, FNL is sole reason why I purchased DIRECTV. COME ON MAN !!!!!
I think that this show is the best on TV. I can’t believe that they are calling it quits. There needs to be a season 6!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I loved this show. My husband an avid football fan told me to come watch this “new” show on NBC. I thought great not another sports show. First show I enjoyed and didn’t miss one episode. I look forward watching with my family. The stories are things that happen to everyday people. It will be missed.
This is a great show and it will be very missed if it is discontinued. This show should definitely be continued!
From a late 40’s female viewer in Florida….
i love this show! i have seasons 1-4 on dvd! def dont need to cancel! there are many shows that need to be cancelled but this is NOT one of them!
It is such a shame that such a great tv show gets ran off just because it doesnt get the high end ratings like other shows(jersey shore).But in the end the show has and will always have a place in my heart.Because it doesnt matter if you are a guy or girl, love football or hate it there is just such a connection to the show for everyone.
I think that FNL is an awesome show! We love the characters and show pertains to things that people in their everyday life can relate to. It would be great if there is a sixth season up ahead.
I think that FNL is a great show and should be continued. I think that a sixth season could really push the show over the top and set the stage for an explosive 100th episode. NBC should really look hard at this before they lose their chance with the audience. Don’t screw this up NBC!!!!! Listen to your fan base. Create season 6.
It’s a real shame they are taking this show!!!! You want to talk about a great show that teaches great life lessons and has AWSOME cast members and storylines. Honestly I’d rather see the trashy stupid reality bull crap taken off cause its soooo stupid but that wont happen cause all nbc wants is money they can care less what they put on as long as they get their checks. They would rather show the offensive junk cause it sells instead of back a really good show that teaches values and is an all round good show!!!!! It’s just a… Read more »
Friday Night Lights is the “best” show on TV! I really hope it comes back this year. It’s a very realistic, down to earth show without people running around naked. The plots are so real they could actually be happening in any state and you don’t have to hide any of it from children.
From an over 50 femail in Florida.
I love this show! I was always looking for it on Friday nights, since we didn’t go to high school football games, it was a great fill in! I agree with all of the horrible ‘reality’ shows on, this show had great characters, good story line, and always left you wanting to see the next episode! Get some backbone NBC, and continue the season! (my stats; 58, female, MN)