Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Cancelled or Renewed?
    • Cancelled TV Shows (lists)
    • Cancellations
    • Renewals
    • TV Show Status Pages
    • Vulture Watch
  • TV Ratings
    • Daily Network Ratings
    • Ratings by Season/Channel
    • Weekly Averages
    • Soap Opera Ratings
    • Archive
    • Viewer Votes
      • ABC TV shows
      • CBS TV shows
      • The CW TV shows
      • FOX TV shows
      • NBC TV shows
      • All Viewer Votes
  • About
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • RSS
  • Mail

canceled + renewed TV shows - TV Series Finale

   

Friday Night Lights: Season Three Finale Could Act as TV Show’s Last Episode

by Trevor Kimball, January 16, 2009

Friday Night LightsAnother in a long line of critically-lauded but ratings-anemic TV shows is NBC’s Friday Night Lights. Executive producer Jason Katims is frequently complimented and told that he has a great show but not many people seem to actually watch it. The show was saved from cancellation last May when NBC announced that it was entering into a co-venture with satellite provider DirecTV to bring it back for a third season. If the show doesn’t return for a fourth, are viewers left hanging?

Based on a book and movie of the same name, Friday Night Lights follows the local high school football team and community of Dillon, Texas. Panthers coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler) tries to balance his devotion to work and to his family, wife Tami (Connie Britton), teenage daughter Julie (Aimee Teegarden), and infant Gracie. Drama also unfolds around team players like Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford), Landry Clarke (Jesse Plemons), Brian Smash Williams (Gaius Charles), Tim Riggins (Taylor Kitsch), and Jason Street (Scott Porter). Other castmembers include Minka Kelly, Adrianne Palicki, Gaius Charles, Derek Phillips, Blue Deckert, Brad Leland, Liz Mikel, Stacey Oristano, Nieko Mann, Kevin Rankin, and Kate Krause.

Though loved by most critics, Lights has struggled to find a substantial audience. Its first season averaged just 6.1 million viewers, a far cry from a ratings success. Still, NBC prez Kevin Reilly believed in the quality show and renewed it for a second year. Shortly thereafter, Reilly was fired.

Under new network management, Lights’ ratings didn’t improve for season two and the episodes only attracted an average of 6.2 million. Year two was shortened because of the writers strike and NBC’s new chief, Ben Silverman, made statements that led many to believe the show would be soon cancelled. Lights was saved once again when NBC Universal made a deal with DirecTV to share production costs for season three. The agreement gave the satellite provider the exclusive rights to air the 13 episodes, commercial-free, well in advance of NBC .

DirecTV has just completed airing season three and an estimated 600,000 subscribers watched. NBC will start airing episodes tonight. There’s no word on whether Lights will be back for a fourth season or not. Series star Chandler says he doesn’t expect to hear about Lights’ fate until March or so. If the drama isn’t renewed, he’s satisfied with the way things finished.

“What a genius job they did!,” the actor tells the San Antonio Express-News. “It does wrap things up, but it also sets up all kinds of opportunities for the show to expand and bring in a whole set of new characters.” Not that he’s in any rush to be done with the show. The actor says, “It would be sad to see it end. We’ve formed quite a family these past three years. We and the children have grown up together.”

Should Lights be renewed for season four?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...
 

Katims is optimistic about Lights’ future and says that ball is now in NBC’s court. The executive producer tells the LA Times, “The first half of the experiment has gone very well. DirecTV is very happy with the viewership that they’ve gotten, and how it’s been perceived. The question is how it’s going to do on NBC…I feel really proud of this season, and I think it’s a really strong season from every perspective. I’m hopeful that we will be strong once we’re on NBC.”

He notes that, “This was an arrangement made in the eleventh hour for one season. This was an experiment. There really hasn’t been any specific discussion about going further. I think this is all going to be up to NBC. If our numbers are solid and stay somewhere within the range of where we were with previous seasons, then I do think we’ll be fine.”

Katims was well aware that this could be the end and took that into consideration when shaping the final arc of the season. He said, “Because so many characters are graduating, it led to a certain sense of resolution. We wanted to balance that with putting questions out there. Without giving the story away, I’m very happy with the way the season finale came across, and there are a lot of questions that arise in that episode that make you want to see more. That, beyond anything, was what I wanted. I feel satisfied creatively that we did our job. Now it’s just a question of whether or not this model is going to work for further seasons.”


Image courtesy DirecTV/NBC.

More about: Friday Night Lights

Related Articles

  • Jason Katims TV Show: canceled or renewed?
    Parenthood, Friday Night Lights: Jason Katims Talks Chances of Reviving the Series
    January 15, 2018
  • Friday Night Lights: What the TV Reunion Movie Might Be About
    January 22, 2017
  • Friday Night Lights: TV Show Star Cast in Unauthorized Musical
    November 24, 2015
  • Connie Britton Friday Night Lights
    Friday Night Lights: Connie Britton Gives a Little Movie Update
    December 26, 2011
  • <em>Friday Night Lights:</em> NBC Sets Premiere of Final Season
    Friday Night Lights: NBC Sets Premiere of Final Season
    February 2, 2011
  • <em>Friday Night Lights:</em> Final Season Coming to DVD Before NBC?
    Friday Night Lights: Final Season Coming to DVD Before NBC?
    January 30, 2011
  • <em>Friday Night Lights:</em> It’s Official; TV Show Ending, No Season Six
    Friday Night Lights: It’s Official; TV Show Ending, No Season Six
    August 13, 2010
  • <em>Friday Night Lights:</em> Fifth and Final Season Begins in October
    Friday Night Lights: Fifth and Final Season Begins in October
    August 11, 2010
  • <em>Friday Night Lights:</em> Petition for Season Six of the TV Show
    Friday Night Lights: Petition for Season Six of the TV Show
    July 10, 2010
  • <em>Friday Night Lights:</em> Exec Producer Signs for Final Season
    Friday Night Lights: Exec Producer Signs for Final Season
    May 28, 2010
  • <em>Friday Night Lights:</em> TV Show Returns to NBC; Already Cancelled?
    Friday Night Lights: TV Show Returns to NBC; Already Cancelled?
    May 7, 2010
  • <em>Friday Night Lights:</em> TV Show Renewed for Seasons Four and Five
    Friday Night Lights: TV Show Renewed for Seasons Four and Five
    March 31, 2009
  • <em>Friday Night Lights:</em> NBC Drama Is Officially Renewed. How Long Will It Last?
    Friday Night Lights: NBC Drama Is Officially Renewed. How Long Will It Last?
    April 2, 2008
  • <em>Friday Night Lights:</em> NBC to Partner with DirecTV for Season Three. Is This Good News for Fans?
    Friday Night Lights: NBC to Partner with DirecTV for Season Three. Is This Good News for Fans?
    March 6, 2008
  • <em>Friday Night Lights:</em> NBC Wants to Keep Football Drama Alive
    Friday Night Lights: NBC Wants to Keep Football Drama Alive
    February 21, 2008
  • <em>Friday Night Lights:</em> Renewed for Season Two!
    Friday Night Lights: Renewed for Season Two!
    May 10, 2007

Canceled and renewed TV show
« Previous Post
Next Post »

8
Leave a Reply

avatar
8 Comment threads
0 Thread replies
0 Followers
 
Most reacted comment
Hottest comment thread
5 Comment authors
kenanjulie aPattyJuanTannis Recent comment authors
avatar

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

kenan
Reader
kenan

plz have sewason 4 its an awesome show and we would love to see what happens next

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
February 13, 2010 1:24 am
julie a
Reader
julie a

Please renew…this is an American show that we all can feel good about and relate to with small town values and small town support…..

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
October 23, 2009 6:20 pm
Patty
Reader
Patty

Please keep Friday Night Lights on for a fourth season. My husband and I think the show is GREAT. Getting sick and tired of all these new STUPID reality shows.

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
July 26, 2009 8:23 pm
Juan
Reader
Juan

Great show, they should keep it up and running

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
June 26, 2009 8:14 pm
Tannis
Reader
Tannis

My husband and I love the show .Bring on a fourth season

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
May 25, 2009 4:44 pm
Linda G
Reader
Linda G

I’ve been a huge fan of FNL from the very first episode. The characters have grown and evolved over the last 3 seasons; it would be wonderful to have another season with coach Taylor and the gang. I don’t understand why its viewership has never taken off; perhaps the show wasn’t promoted correctly. I’m 50-something and can honestly say I’m sick to death of the 20 versions of CSI, etc.! FNL is a “thinking” person’s show; you have to be able to appreciate the subtlety of the plot and how it intertwines with the subplots. Hope to see a season… Read more »

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
March 14, 2009 5:12 pm
Carolyn Towles
Reader
Carolyn Towles

Friday Night Lights is the favorite show in this house. It’s real, believable, and attractive to all age groups. (our age group is 70 – 80 years old.
What can we do to help keep FNL going?
Thank you.

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
March 7, 2009 10:41 pm
Anonymous
Reader
Anonymous

friday night lights is a great show. please have a season four

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
March 1, 2009 9:42 am
wpdiscuz   wpDiscuz
Fall 2020 Schedule Cancelled TV Show Lists Ratings (by TV Channel) Status Lists of 800+ Shows
  • Cancellations
  • Renewals
  • High Maintenance TV show on HBO: (canceled or renewed?) High Maintenance: "Cancelled," No Season Five for HBO Comedy Series
  • Animal Kingdom: season six renewal, no season 7 Animal Kingdom: Season Six; TNT Series Gets Early Renewal for Final Season
  • Insecure TV show on HBO: ending, no season 6 Insecure: Season Five to End Issa Rae TV Series on HBO
  • The Haves and the Have Nots TV show on OWN: ending, no season 9 The Haves and the Have Nots: OWN Series Ending Confirmed; No Season Nine
  • Green Arrow and the Canaries TV Show on The CW: canceled or renewed? Arrow: CW Spin-Off Not Moving Forward, The 100 Prequel Still Alive
  • The Haunting of Bly Manor TV Show on Netflix: canceled or renewed? The Haunting: Season Three? Netflix Series Creator on Anthology's Future
  • More...
  • Queen Sugar TV show on TNT: season 6 renewal ahead of season 5 premiere Queen Sugar: Season Six; OWN TV Series Renewed Ahead of Season Five Premiere (Video) January 14, 2021
  • Animal Kingdom: season six renewal, no season 7 Animal Kingdom: Season Six; TNT Series Gets Early Renewal for Final Season January 14, 2021
  • Amazon TV Shows: canceled or renewed? The Offenders: Season Two; Early Renewal for BBC and Amazon Series January 14, 2021
  • Big City Greens TV Show on Disney: canceled or renewed? Big City Greens: Season Three Renewal for Disney Channel Animated Series January 14, 2021
  • The Pack TV Show on Amazon: canceled or renewed? The Pack: Cancelled by Amazon, No Season Two for Pet Competition January 14, 2021
  • Side Hustle TV Show on Nickelodeon: canceled or renewed? Nickelodeon's Unfiltered, Side Hustle: Nickelodeon Orders More Episodes of Comedy Series January 8, 2021
  • More...
  • TV Ratings
  • Quick Questions
  • Soap Opera Ratings for the 2020-21 Season (updated 1/15/21)
  • General Hospital TV show on ABC: season 58 ratings (cancel or renew?) General Hospital: 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/15/21)
  • "The Bold and The Beautiful TV show on CBS: season 34 ratings (cancel or renew?)" The Bold and the Beautiful: 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/15/21)
  • Days of Our Lives TV show on NBC: season 56 ratings (canceled or renewed?) Days of Our Lives: 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/15/21)
  • "Young and the Restless TV show: season 48 ratings (canceled or renewed?)" The Young and the Restless: 2020-21 Ratings (updated 1/15/21)
  • More...
  • Salvation TV show on CBS: season 3 (canceled or renewed?) Salvation: Season Three? Should the CBS Summer Series Be Renewed? September 18, 2018
  • Take Two TV show on ABC: canceled or renewed for season 2? Take Two: Season Two; Should the ABC TV Show Be Renewed? September 13, 2018
  • Shooter TV show on USA Network: canceled, no season 4 Shooter: Season Four? Would You Watch the Cancelled Show on Another Channel? September 13, 2018
  • Shades of Blue TV show on NBC: no season four Shades of Blue: Season Four? Would You Have Kept Watching the NBC Series? August 20, 2018
  • Quantico TV show on ABC: canceled, no season 4 Quantico: Season Four; Would You Have Watched More of the Cancelled ABC Series? August 4, 2018
  • More...

The Latest

  • Young Rock, Keenan: NBC Comedies to Replace Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist
  • Last Week Tonight: Season Eight; John Oliver Series Return Date Set by HBO (Video)
  • Tyler Perry's The Oval: Season Two Premiere Announced for BET Series
  • Julia: HBO Max Orders Julia Child Series with Sarah Lancashire and David Hyde Pierce
  • Doogie Kamealoha, MD: Peyton Elizabeth Lee to Star in Disney+ Reboot Series
  • The Lord of the Rings: Amazon Releases New Series Synopsis
  • High Maintenance: "Cancelled," No Season Five for HBO Comedy Series
  • Queen Sugar: Season Six; OWN TV Series Renewed Ahead of Season Five Premiere (Video)
  • Animal Kingdom: Season Six; TNT Series Gets Early Renewal for Final Season
  • The Offenders: Season Two; Early Renewal for BBC and Amazon Series
  • Dino Ranch: Disney Junior Sets Premiere Date for New Preschool Series
  • Big City Greens: Season Three Renewal for Disney Channel Animated Series
  • The Pack: Cancelled by Amazon, No Season Two for Pet Competition
  • Insecure: Season Five to End Issa Rae TV Series on HBO
  • Love & Hip Hop: Reunion Series and Relationship Special Announced by VH1
  • American Greed: Season 14 Coming to CNBC Next Week
  • Umbrella Academy: Season Three Characters Revealed by Netflix
  • Temptation Island: Season Three Premiere Date Announced for USA Network Series
  • American Auto, Grand Crew, La Brea: NBC Orders Three New Scripted Series for 2021-22 Season
More...

Popular

  • FOX TV Shows: 2020-21 Viewer Votes
  • The CW TV Shows: 2020-21 Viewer Votes
  • CBS TV Shows: 2020-21 Viewer Votes
  • Viewer Votes Ranking for the 2020-21 Network TV Shows
  • ABC TV Shows: 2020-21 Viewer Votes
  • NBC TV Shows: 2020-21 Viewer Votes
  • Soap Opera Ratings for the 2020-21 Season (updated 1/15/21)
  • The CW 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/15/21)
  • FOX 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/15/21)
  • NBC 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/15/21)
  • CBS 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/15/21)
  • ABC 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/15/21)
  • Cancelled or Renewed? Status of Cable & Streaming TV Shows (E-L)
  • OWN TV Show Ratings (updated 1/13/21)
  • Cancelled or Renewed? Status of NBC TV Shows
  • Cancelled or Renewed? Status of Cable & Streaming TV Shows (M-R)
  • 2020-21 Season Ratings for New TV Shows (week 16)
  • 2020-21 TV Show Season Ratings (week 16)
  • Starz TV Show Ratings (updated 1/12/21)

No infringement of previously copyrighted material is intended on this site. DMCA.

Copyright © TV Series Finale. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.

wpDiscuz