This week's episode of NBC's critically-acclaimed drama "Friday Night Lights" may be its swan song.
When asked about the fate of FNL at last week's "Lipstick Jungle" launch party, NBC's Programming Chief Ben Silverman ignored the question and instead touted the network's Thursday night comedy "30 Rock" as "the best show on TV."
When repeatedly pressed to address the future of the Texas-based drama, Silverman said: "I like it. You like it. But no one watches it. We'll see what we can do. Watch '30 Rock!"
Last spring, "Friday Night Lights" had been renewed for a second season by Silverman's predecessor Kevin Reilly, before he was let go. Reilly, a fan of the show, was responsible for its original development.
Following Reilly's departure, NBC had the producers make several creative choices (including the much-criticized Tyra-Landry murder storyline) in an attempt to improve the show's modest ratings.
The show has averaged 6.16 million viewers this season, almost on a par with last year's average of 6.20 million.
This year, however, the show airs on lower-rated Friday nights (last year it aired on Tuesdays and Wednesdays), so maintaining season 1 ratings on a night when fewer people watch TV is a modest accomplishment.
Also, on several occasions this year FNL tied for the first place in the timeslot among adults 18-49.
Ironically "30 Rock," the show that - unlike FNL - appears to have Silverman's support, has averaged a very similar 6.61 million viewers this season. The comedy however airs on much more competitive, and therefore more significant, Thursday nights.
Ben Silverman, 37, has caused quite a bit of controversy over the past 6 months, including personal attacks on ABC Prexy Stephen McPherson.
Silverman's programming strategy relies heavily on reality shows and acquisition of foreign formats. The exec who originally developed "Ugly Betty" for ABC, is now planning the US version of Aussie comedy "Kath & Kim," and a soap opera titled "Without Breasts There Is No Paradise."
Although NBC has yet to make a final decision on the future of "Friday Night Lights," there will be no additional episodes this season.
All 15 episodes of season 2 will be released on DVD in April.
Could fan support similar to last year's "Jericho" nut campaign save the endangered series from cancellation?
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I read his interview last night. clearly he is against renewing FNL and hoping that people will bring up the ratings for 30 rock to justify keeping it. I was hoping (aka praying) that NBC would at least pick up FNL for 13 episodes in the fall. This hoping was based on the fact that with a reduced pilot schedule this year it would be easier to bring back a show that already existed. Silverman might be out there a bit (and I hope he comes to his senses and renews FNL) but he is right about the changes he wants to make. Fewer pilots, picking up shows for shorter guaranteed episdes in the beginning (6 instead of 13) and year round launching and developing of new shows. Lets hope though that he is not blinded by his recent reality TV success and quality programming struggles.
ReplyDeleteI feel it would be a huge mistake for NBC to cancel FNL and keep 30 Rock. Maybe not watching 30 Rock would help??
ReplyDelete30 rock is a horrible show that should be cancelled...canceling FNL would be a horrible mistake and should atleast finish out the season
ReplyDeleteGosh, FNL is such an awesome show, I'd be so disappointed to miss it! Admittedly, I hate the fact that it's on on Fridays because I never seem to catch it, but I watch the episodes on NBC.com. Please, please, please, NBC, don't cancel such a great show. I've seen every episode.
ReplyDeleteFriday night lights is one of the best shows on tv. We have enough stupid sitcoms ie:30 rock. At least FNL has some substance to it and attempts to teach something to its audience. I do enjoy a good sitcom but I hope Silverman keeps one of my favorite shows on. Schedule on Tuesday night again.
ReplyDeleteSharon
This show already has a huge following, so finish the season and have another one. Change the night back to tuesday and you will see better results.
ReplyDeleteI think the issue is not the quality of the show, but the time slot it was placed in for season 2. I am a football coach and am actually living it out on Friday Nights, but my wife and I tevo it and never missed one. I think the cast and crew did an excellent job of portraying what a small town community is like in Texas and how the great game of Football can bring everyone together! We will greatly miss the show and hope it has a chance to go on!
ReplyDeleteSilverman is a TOOL and an idiot! FNL is ten times a better show than 30 rock. The ratings are in pal and they say you suck at your job!
ReplyDeleteI love 'Friday Night Lights' and I need more. Please. Reality TV and lame sitcoms can die.
ReplyDeleteYes, Silverman, TV clearly needs more shows about breasts. You dope. Friday Night Lights is too smart and well-written for this network, apparently. 30 Rock is for idiots and who can stand Alec Baldwin???? Friday Night Lights is one of the best shows ever. We at least need one more year to bring things to closure !!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love FNL. I have watched it religiously since its inception (and I don't watch a lot of TV). As a small testimony to its quality, my wife and 13 year old daughter became hooked on the show and neither of them likes football. I guess this just shows that the show is not actually about football, but rather about the trials and lives of a small town Texas community. I believe if more people watched a show or two, they, like my family, would really enjoy it. It will be a shame if the show is discontinued. Personally, it will eliminate about 40% of the television that I watch. Maybe if the network promoted it a little better (as a drama and not a 'football' show), they would find it to be very successful.
ReplyDeleteFNL is actually one show that my husband and I actually agree on. We love it! My parents love it, too. Great cast- great stories! Friday night was just a horrible time slot. We rarely watched on Friday. We always dvr-ed it and watched it on Saturday morning. We will be devastated if it's not renewed. It's obvious to put it on a different night to help the ratings because its best fans didn't even watch it when it aired --but we all watched it.
ReplyDeleteHonestly Friday Night Lights is one of the best pieces of Television ever to get on the air. It is so moving and so incredibly awesome to watch that I couldn't imagine any executive cancelling it. If it can be as competitive as 30-Rock is (which it is based on the ratings) then it should definitely be picked up for another season!!! PLUS THIS SEASON SHOULD AT LEAST BE FINISHED OUT! Either way, understand this, that FNL is the best best best show and really has made a lot of people very happy
ReplyDeleteFNL is the best TV drama on Television! Every episode is like a mini-movie and I'm pretty sure that everyone will agree that it has the BEST ACTING in all of television. This show needs to be on a better time slot, if not that, at least keep it on NBC.com as an online show. But even that would be stupid, cause FNL is too great of a show to be demoted for the likes of 30 Rock. It needs to be moved to another night. I don't know who at NBC thought it would be a great idea to move the show to Friday nights AND why no one at NBC took responsibility when the show WOULD NOT PLAY on NBC.com the first half of the season. Anyone remember that?
ReplyDeletefriday night lights is a great show. tell your friends tell the network and they should do a better job advertising and promoting the show.
ReplyDeleteI just recently started watching FNL because Chelsea Handler on Chelsea Lately said it was her favorite show on TV and everyone should watch it. I am hooked now and hope it is not canceled. I have terrible luck with shows I like getting cut, such as Moonlight, and am so tired of reality tv in place of other well produced and well written shows that are also being canceled this season. Are reality shows so much cheaper to make that in this recession that is all we will be getting on tv. With fewer nights out and more nights in front of tv in our future due to the recession, that is a really depressing thought.
ReplyDeleteThis is the best show on TV! Do not cancel it. Move it to another day.
ReplyDeleteButch, Jamie, Ramon, Chris
I have watched every episode and would hate to think it is going to be cancelled! I like the values it depicts and the story line as well as the acting. Look at how many of the actors have gone on to star in other shows and films! Lret's hope it will be renewed!
ReplyDelete