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Friday Night Lights is a television series based on
the film of the same name, which was based on the novel
of the same name. The series began in 2006 and was developed
by Peter Berg (Hancock, The Kingdom) who directed the film.
***
The series began airing in NBC in 2006, and follows
high school football players in a small town, and the drama
that is their lives. Unfortunately, life off the field isn’t
always as easy as life on it is. Drama in their lives includes
troubled relationships and legal problems. Unfortunately,
from its conception the show has faced a variety of difficulties,
including questionable marketing, negative reviews, and
often less-than-stellar ratings. Fortunately, NBC has provided
a series of deleted scenes on their website, though. It’s
a shame the series has encountered so many difficulties
on the airwaves, because it really is one of the best dramas
on television today. ***
In another strange marketing move, the most recent
episodes have premiered on DirecTV in Sept/08 in an extended
format (which then aired later on NBC in Jan.09) While I
agree that DirecTV subscribers should definitely get some
sort of incentive for their subscription, it’s unfair to
non-subscribers to have to wait longer to have to experience
the episodes – edited from the DirecTV premiers, no less.
To add insult to injury, the DVD set includes the EDITED
episodes as aired on NBC, not the full-length uncut DirecTV
premiers. And there are the obligatory music changes as
well. ***
Despite the flaws of the marketing campaign, and as
such, this set, it’s still hard not to recommend this package.
The series is as dramatic and entertaining as it has ever
been, and there is always a lot going on. The performances
are excellent and the plotlines riveting. Flaws aside, this
package comes recommended. ---
Image and Sound:
Ultimately, Friday Night Lights looks and sounds pretty
good on home video. The show is filmed in an often gritty,
grainy style in an effort to look “real”, which will likely
sit well with some viewers but not others. Audio is strong
as well, definitely better than you’d expect a television
series to sound on DVD – though most of the audio is just
dialogue anyway. Ultimately, despite a few minor flaws here
and there, the show gets another excellent transfer.
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