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'Friday Night Lights ' Return Date

Posted by Matthew Gilbert November 26, 2008 06:38 AM

Friday-Night-Lights.jpg

NBC has released its January schedule. And "Chuck," "Heroes," "Life," and "Lipstick Jungle" aren't on it. "Chuck," Heroes," and "Life" will definitely be back when the "midseason" schedule starts in February, according to the network. But "Lipstick Jungle"? Who knows. Wait and see, I guess. To fill in the month, NBC is adding on a few reality shows, including "Momma's Boys" and "Superstars of Dance."

But I write here not to chronicle the pointless scheduling inconsistencies that will probably contribute to the ongoing dissolution of NBC, but to announce the return date of "Friday Night Lights." The show will be back for its third season on Friday, Jan. 16, at 9 p.m. That is great news, a bright spot in what could be a slow month of programming.

I've already seen the first 7 episodes of "Friday Night Lights," courtesy of DirecTV, which has been airing the season first, according to its deal with NBC. And I am happy to report that the run has been really strong, if not as revelatory as the first season. The "FNL" characters are still some of the most dimensional and sympathetic people on TV these days. While the writers finish the arcs for Jason Street and Smash Williams, they also bring in some new, subtle storylines that allow both Eric and Tami Taylor to do that mentoring thing that is so (sniff) darn (sniff) moving (sob).

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30 comments so far...

  1. I think taking off Lipstick Jungle is a HUGE MISTAKE! This show has all the makings of another Sex in the City and NBC is nuts if they cancel this show. It's just getting off the ground - but the writing and the characters are just great. Give it a shot for God's sake. We need more shows like this not the cheap worthless reality crap we get all the time. People are sick ot that junk.

    Posted by Laurice Saggese November 26, 08 09:00 AM

  1. I agree. Been watching FNL on DirecTV and am still as hooked as I was during season one (season two threw in a few unbelievable curve balls -- though it was still very entertaining). As has been stated time and time again, this show and its actors do not get enough credit. I'm sorry that it's going to be on Friday nights - isn't that the TV kiss of death? Girls: This is not a show about football. Guys: This is not a show about highschool angst. It's just a true-to-life Dramedy with fantastic writers and an amazing cast. And...it's got eye candy for both sexes (Hello Coach Taylor and Tim Riggins! And Lila Garrity and Tyra Collette for you guys out there). WATCH THIS SHOW. Better yet...catch up on Seasons 1 & 2 online in preparation for January 16.

    Posted by SCsouthie November 26, 08 09:07 AM

  1. you dont have to wait until jan 16th go to show-links.tv and you can watch all the the episodes so far on your computer

    Posted by doug November 26, 08 10:12 AM

  1. KEEP LIPSTICK JUNGLE ON FOR CRYIN OUT LOUD!!!

    Posted by Janet November 26, 08 11:09 AM

  1. I agree regarding Lipstick Jungle. It is about the only show I currently watch on NBC and try not to miss. I even found it when they moved it to Friday the first night with the new episode. It's no wonder they think the ratings are low - they move it the same week it is on Wednesday which was great since I had two new episodes in one week to view however there was not much publicity that the move was happening that week.
    HUGE MISTAKE to cancel!

    Posted by lisamp November 26, 08 11:11 AM

  1. I love that show, don't cancel it!!!!

    Posted by Elisa Quintana November 26, 08 11:36 AM

  1. i'm a cultural anthropologist and i find Friday Night Lights one of the most vivid ethnographies to ever grace the screen. scintillating story-telling. i'm a bit embarrassed to admit that i find CHUCK very clever, very amusing, and a real entertainment treat. anybody else like the show?

    Posted by rabbit angstrom November 26, 08 11:49 AM

  1. FNL is such a great show - I got hooked on it over the summer via the wonder that is TV on DVD. I'll definitely be watching the new season, come January.

    Posted by Timm November 26, 08 11:49 AM

  1. Aahh...yah...we need more shows like sex in the city. {hold on while I go hang myself}...I'm going to have to live in the basement if more stuff like that comes out...

    Posted by Joe November 26, 08 11:51 AM

  1. FNL's is just as strong as ever. Watching it as a football fan first. I was able to get my wife to watch it(she hates football) and although the football is secondary I am still watching it because of the characters and writing. I love what football means to people in Texas, but now it goes beyond that.
    Great 3rd season on DTV. Here's to hoping we get a 4th. To those of you waiting for 1/16. It will not let you down.

    Posted by texasfootball November 26, 08 12:02 PM

  1. I love Friday Night Lights and I am glad that that show will be returning in the new year.

    Posted by Kelly November 26, 08 12:32 PM

  1. Simply put, Friday Night Lights, is THE BEST show on TV right now. I've been watching it since season 1 and I am SO GLAD that I have DirecTV. The writing and the acting is second to none.

    Posted by Mike C November 26, 08 01:13 PM

  1. So when it goes back to NBC, will they start with the episodes we've been watching on DirecTV or will it pick up with new episodes?

    Posted by Marti November 26, 08 03:20 PM

  1. I will be very disappointed in Lipstick Jungle does not return. It is one of the few shows I watch on NBC. They need to add shows like this, not remove them. I am looking forward to the return of FNL. It is an excellent show.

    Posted by Pat Isbell November 26, 08 04:07 PM

  1. Marti,
    NBC will run the same episodes that have already been airing on DirecTV.
    MG

    Posted by Matthew Gilbert November 26, 08 07:53 PM

  1. I can't wait for FNL to return to TV. I've missed it so much.

    Posted by lee November 27, 08 08:41 AM

  1. Friday Night Lights has been fantastic on Direct TV with the Vaseline sponsor not interrupting every scene. FNL was a disaster on NBC with an avalanche of commercials interrupting every incredible scene and ruining the story lines. Vaseline gave FNL the respect it surely deserves with best-ever writing and acting.

    Posted by Mickey Meyers November 29, 08 07:16 PM

  1. It makes no sense to cancel "Lipstick Jungle". It seems that just when you get caught up in the story line the network decides to cancel a great show. Senseless!

    Posted by Pat November 29, 08 11:37 PM

  1. I can not wait for the next season of FNL to start! As far as Lipstick Jungle, I have not watched it but have heard great things about it. NBC will be looking for a strong replacement for next season on Thursday's when ER is gone. Is it to far fetched to think that they might put in a show that already has a strong following instead of trying to reinvent the wheel with a new unproven show?

    Posted by et November 30, 08 08:12 AM

  1. please dont cancel life

    Posted by boston man November 30, 08 06:05 PM

  1. Speaking of Eye Candy what about Principal Taylor. I have never been this into a television show. I have crawled the internet looking for more stuff and have turned on many friends and family to this show for the third season. Seriously I am not the type to comment online about a show but c'mon this show is unbelievably great. Hope to see season 4 soon!

    Posted by JP December 1, 08 12:30 PM

  1. PLEASE DON'T CANCEL LIPSTICK JUNGLE!!! I TIVO IT EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT. MAYBE THIS IS WHY IT HAS LOW RATINGS AND SHOWS LOW VIEWERS. WE TAPE ALOT OF SHOW AND WATCH THEM LATER. THE RATINGS GURUS NEED TO FIND OUT IF MORE PEOPLE ARE TAPING AND NOT WATCHING SHOWS WHEN THEY ARE ON.
    I ALSO THINK THEY SHOULD MOVE LIPSTICK JUNGLE TO MONDAY NIGHTS. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ON AT (9 P.M. -CENTRAL).

    Posted by vicki December 1, 08 03:36 PM

  1. I agree, moving Lipstick Jungle to MONDAY nights @ 9 would be fantastic! We TiVo it - who's actually home on Friday night to watch tv anyway?! I mean, are they hoping the show will fail?

    KEEP LIPSTICK JUNGLE TO KEEP VIEWERS, NBC!!!

    Posted by Joan December 2, 08 03:06 PM

  1. So glad to hear that FNL is not being cancelled! Its an amazing show with great actors and great writers. I have been a fan since it first aired. Thank you for keeping it alive!

    Posted by football mom December 2, 08 03:44 PM

  1. i'[ve seen all 8 episode of FNL on direct tv and now they will re air those episodes through NBC starting January 16. C mon guys, that means i have to wait till march to actually watch episode 9. BUMMER. Thats a very long wait. Why can't you guys just also air it on direct tv. its better their anyway coz it has less commercials/.

    Posted by Tim Riggins December 3, 08 04:00 AM

  1. Excellent site guys! great work!

    Posted by Breast Augmentation December 12, 08 11:20 AM

  1. This show is great. It's really hard to find a show that I can watch with my husband. I'm glad it's back!

    Posted by Dannie January 4, 09 08:22 PM

  1. I have to disagree with that last comment...doesn't make sense

    Posted by Liposuction January 6, 09 10:05 PM

  1. Friday Night Lights is one of the best shows on TV, I really hope they bring it back for another season.

    Posted by Darlene Avery January 8, 09 11:42 PM

  1. LOVE FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS....am a fan from season one! Can't wait for the new season!

    Posted by Nadia January 9, 09 01:50 PM
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Matthew Gilbert is the Globe's TV critic.
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