September 17, 2008
October 1 is fast approaching, with half a month to go before Friday Night Lights turns on the spotlight on their highly anticipated third season. This time, the critically acclaimed series’ third installment will first air on DirecTV beginning on the said date, as a result of a deal between the company and NBC. TV Guide’s Matt Roush reminds fans that this move is a “survival mechanism” for the show to land a third season without getting cut.
"If it works, maybe we'll see more examples of this kind of partnership to keep struggling shows from dying too soon," Roush explains. "Even for a cost-efficient production like this, NBC/Universal alone couldn't justify renewing the show without a partner, so DirecTV stepped in, figuring it would enhance their brand while also giving them a quality exclusive with an established (albeit small) fan base."
September 4, 2008
Matt Saracen will have a lot on his plate to deal with as Friday Night Lights returns for a third season on October 1 on Direct TV and on NBC in 2009. The shy and nervous former backup quarterback was thrust into the spotlight when Jason Street suffered a career-ending injury and now has to with the spotlight on and off the field, after being completely ignored by everyone for years. As for his personal life, Matt lives alone with his grandmother, who suffers from senile dementia, and has a poor relationship with his father Henry, who is serving in Iraq. But all that might change as someone from his past re-enters his life.
According to TV Guide, Zach Gilford's character will be getting a mom this season and she comes in the form of Kim Dickens.
August 18, 2008
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For exclusive on-set videos and hot features on the new TV season, check out BuddyTV's Fall 2008 Preview.
If a television show wraps up its season with a perfectly crafted, emotionally moving finale, chances are I'm going to be doing cartwheels when the series finally returns with new episodes. All of the shows listed below left me feeling extremely satisfied when they wrapped up their previous seasons. Some of them left me crying, some left me with my jaw stuck to the floor, and others left me with a big smile on my face after the credits rolled. All I hope for when I sit down to watch television is to be mentally and emotionally transported to another place. There isn't a lot of programming that has that kind of hold over me, which makes it all the more special when I find a series that does. The five shows below are the ones that are bound to shake up my world in one way or another when they return this fall.
August 18, 2008
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For exclusive on-set videos and hot features on the new TV season, check out BuddyTV's Fall 2008 Preview.
Network: DirecTV
Premiere: Wednesday, October 1, 9pm
Considering that it spent its first two seasons on NBC, it's strange to think of Friday Night Lights as a cable show. After struggling through its second low rated season on network television, NBC made a deal with DirecTV to bring the drama back for at least 13 additional episodes. Unfortunately for those without the satellite service, the episodes will first air on The 101, which is a channel exclusive to DirecTV subscribers. The third season will kick off on The 101 on October 1, but won't air on NBC until early 2009. That technically makes Friday Night Lights a cable show, at least until mid-season.
Regardless of where the episodes air, I'm thrilled to have one of the best shows on television back for what's sure to be another emotional year.
August 11, 2008
With previous reports of the necessary DirectTV deal to save Friday Night Lights and the two recently sidelined characters from the show, fans may be disappointed that the new 13-episode season, which first airs on DirectTV beginning October 1 and in 2009 on NBC, might not be nearly as good as the first two. Nonetheless, Friday Night Lights executive producer Jason Katims recently revealed that there will be new faces to feast on, come season 3.
Read on to find out who are the fresh recruits of Friday Night Lights!
August 1, 2008
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Friday Night Lights is in a strange position as it moves into its third season. The show was renewed due to a deal made between NBC and DirecTV, which allows DirecTV to air all 13 episodes beginning in October. NBC, on the other hand, won't air the episodes until February. FNL has never done particularly well in the ratings, and one has to wonder if it will struggle even more due to this new deal. Will faithful Friday Night Lights fans who don't have DirecTV be willing to wait four extra months to see new episodes? Will they instead choose to illegally download season 3 online, and if so, will the show's ratings plummet on NBC? These are all questions fans have to worry about as the new season prepares to launch on October 1.
July 20, 2008
The survival of Friday Night Lights for a third season is a miracle. Nearly cancelled by NBC, a last minute deal with DirecTV brought it back for a shortened season 3 that will last for 13 episodes airing this Fall on DirecTV and will then air on NBC in the Spring.
At the Television Critics Association panel for Friday Night Lights, executive producer Jason Katims revealed season 3 will premiere October 1 on DirectTV (to tie in to the fact that it will air on DirecTV's channel 101). The NBC airings will begin in February.