Monday, October 8, 2007

Friday Night Lights - Playbook



Friday Night Lights
Game Time - 9:00 PM
Location - NBC Television Network
Game Replay & Highlights - NBC Friday Night Lights


Ranking

10 Ten Shows (2006)- Time Magazine
10 Ten Shows (2006)- Entertainment Weekly

High Honors
American Film Institute (AFI) - Television Program of the Year

George Foster Peabody Award

Scouting Report
Expanding on the hit feature film and best selling book "Friday Night Lights," this poignant series centers on the small rural town of Dillon, Texas, where the coveted state football championship rings are held in the highest regard. The Dillon Panther's faced many challenges their first season with Coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler, "Grey's Anatomy") at the helm, but after much hard work, determination and a victory at the State Championship Game, the team's fate at the start of yet another new season and the Taylor family's future with them, continues to remain uncertain.

Panther's Roster
Scott Porter("Music & Lyrics by…")- former star quarterback (injured) Jason Street
Gaius Charles ("The Book of Daniel")- feared running back Brian "Smash" Williams
Taylor Kitsch ("The Covenant")- reckless & self-destructive fullback Tim Riggins
Connie Britton ("24") Coach Taylor's wife & guidance counselor, Tami
Zach Gilford ("The Last Winter")- New team Capt.& star quarterback Matt Saracen,
Minka Kelly ("What I Like About You")Cheerleader & Street's on/off-GF Lyla Garrity,

Aimee Teegarden - Coach Taylor's daughter, Julie
Adrianne Palicki ("South Beach") - Tyra Collette
Jesse Plemons ("Grey's Anatomy") - Dillon player, Landry Clarke

Front Office (Producers/Directors)
Peter Berg ("Friday Night Lights" (film), "The Rundown") Executive Producer
Jason Katims ("Roswell")
Brian Grazer ("The Da Vinci Code," "Cinderella Man," "A Beautiful Mind")
David Nevins ("Arrested Development")
Sarah Aubrey ("Bad Santa," "The Kingdom")
Jeffrey Reiner (NBC's "Surface")

Newly acquired player
Austin Nichols (John from Cincinnati, The Day After Tomorrow) - Teacher/Guidance Counselor

41 comments:

Wicked said...

Great post and song, Spesh! I am really looking forward to this show. And seeing Austy, of course!

In the previous thread, I wrote an explanation of court procedures, at least as much as I understand them. I'm not a lawyer but do work with them as part of my job.

Anonymous said...

Last week when you were talking about the role Austin would be playing, SK, you said he would be playing somebody in his 30's. My first thought was "but Austin doesn't look old enough to play a guy in his 30's.". The Defamer sighting of Jake and a guy "in his early 20's" brought that back to my mind!

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately Convinced we know all to well actors ages often have nothing to do with their character. Look at JFC, or even FNL itself, the actor playing the former quarterback (now in a wheelchair) is 28!

And is unfortunately often the case with a show like this, I think they may be trying new things in hopes of getting a bigger audience. I just read a review in the New Yorker that said there would be less football this year because they thought that would make it more appealing to women, and the dramatic event that happens at the end of the premier doesn't seem in keeping with the show either. The writer expressed a fear that they might gain a new audience at the expense of what made it so good last year. But it is still early in the seaon, and I can't wait to see Austin.

I would also love to see Jake do another movie with Fincher, so I hope that talk is not just talk. I know a lot of people didn't care for it, but I really loved Zodiac.

Blue Velvet said...

Destiny, I've also read a few discussions about the "dramatic event" you refer to above and it seems that even though many people seem to think it's not in keeping with the usual realistic approach of FNL, most seem willing to trust that the writers know what they're doing.

Here's a quote that pretty much sums up what a lot of people are saying: "there are always consequences on this show, but they're always completely realistic consequences, and I have no doubt that the writers (and actors) know where they're heading with this. Translation: Let's not worry too much about this storyline before we see how it plays out."

I was immediately drawn into the characters and storylines of episode one so I'm looking forward to upcoming episodes (especially those with Austin).

Anonymous said...

On JFC Austin played a 90 something year old so he can certainly play a guy in his 30s. Okay he was a magical 90 something but still. It's also good for longevity.

He and Jake both are smart to be moving away from teen/young man roles.

frenchy said...

Thanks for this great FNL Playbook Special. Before we heard Austin had been cast in it I was totally unaware of the very existence of this series (I really don’t watch much TV, even in French). I’m glad to see Austy has chosen – again – a high-quality program. Autumn is definitely here and the stuck-indoors stage of the year has started for good so THIS time I WON’T miss one single episode!

Ok, these comments should have gone in the last thread:

1) Thanks a lot Wicked for the legal info; these insights and details are always appreciated.

2) Convinced, I found your input on BEE particularly interesting as I planned to read “Lunar Park” right after “The Informers”. Yet I wonder if I could stomach another novel peopled with that kind of fauna (totally rich, totally bored, totally amoral, totally superficial, totally stoned). They got on my nerves pretty quickly but the style is good and BEE really knows how to make you see and feel this particular milieu so you can honestly say mission accomplished here.

3) Broadwayfan I agree that in the book the rock star is definitely older than Austin but HW rarely treats literature as gospel and I was thinking they might make that guy younger. I can easily imagine an extremely successful 20-year-old becoming a junkie (hello Lindsay!) and being dumped at 30 by his greedy manager for a new bunch of 20-somethings. I certainly hope Austin will get a substantial part.

And now “Bubble Boy”, a quick review: Totally delicious, delirious, hilarious movie! I can’t believe I had this little gem standing there idly for all this time. I’ll join my voice to all those who hope and pray that Jake does comedy again, but for me it’s always been the crazy, far-out kind all the way and I was so happy to find out BB was made of that very stuff. I know, I know BB is not the equivalent of a Coen comedy but in my book it still belongs to the same category of, let’s say, “Raising Arizona”. Anyway, Jake certainly has the knack, the craziness, the physicality and the voice for quirky dialogues that the genre requires.

Totally OT but I also watched “Mysterious Skin” and was blown away by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I approached this film cautiously (sexual abuse of children and its aftermath) and ended up deeply touched and moved by the actors’ performances and the way Araki treated this subject. Just think that all I knew of Araki was “The Living End”… you can imagine my surprise. :)

Wicked said...

Frenchy, have you seen Brick?

Anonymous said...

I still think Austin will be given a reasonable part. He's been listed in all the mentions of the movie and was evidently one of the first people signed.

Keeping in mind that this is an ensemble cast and so none of the parts are probably that significant.

I also don't think that Austin dining with Ashley Olsen means he's actually in her story in the movie. They are former costars already who were probably just catching up. they could actually be friends and do that regularly for all we know.

There are guys who work with the kidnapper. Maybe he's one of them.

It's like a mystery isn't it? Austin in two projects and we don't know the part he is going to play in either.

frenchy said...

Frenchy, have you seen Brick?

I haven't. But apparently JGL is brilliant in it. It's next on my list. ;)

frenchy said...

There are guys who work with the kidnapper. Maybe he's one of them.

Actually there's a woman and a man. But it would still be a very small part. I'm hoping for something more. :)

frenchy said...

About "The Informers" (again):

There are two characters but this time they may be "too young" for Austin. I'm talking about Tim (who's going on a trip with his father) and Graham. Those of you who have read the book, what do you think?

frenchy said...

Ok, this is my last post for a couple of hours and maybe I'm late with these news but did you see that Peter Scanavino has been cast as Martin? That would have been a great role for Austin.

Anonymous said...

And now “Bubble Boy”, a quick review: Totally delicious, delirious, hilarious movie!

Jimmy: How far will this get me?
Bus stop man: Take a step back.
[Jimmy steps back]
Bus stop man: That far.

Anonymous said...

^^^

Anonymous said...

Yes, I saw that someone else got cast as Martin. What a shame. I really wanted Austin in that role. Sigh. He'll probably be playing that studio executive who befriends Anne (I'm assuming Ashley is playing her) and who later dies of mysterious circumstances (possibly a drug overdose) or was murdered while Anne and his "friends" move in and take over his house, indifferent to his death.

The character's name is Randy and the chapter on Anne is written in the form of letters to a friend of hers from school (who never writes back). In the letters she refers to a Randy.

Unless the screenwriter beefs up the role, it's not a big part at all--should be a short shoot for Austin.

Anonymous said...

Tim is a good role but I'm not sure Austin will be playing that role. He could certainly pass for a USC student (which he was and which Tim is).

I don't remember Graham--please refresh my memory. And Austin is WAY too young for the role of the rock star, who's in his late 30s/early 40s.

Anonymous said...

Hey Frenchy, I am glad you finally watched Bubble Boy. I know I bugged you a lot but somehow I had a feeling you'd like it. I no longer can listen to the pledge of allegiance without a smile ;-) Hope you watched the commentary special, great insight into Jake's artistry.

Special K said...

New Ted

Dear Ted:
Come on, don't you think it's 'bout time to give Toothy Tile’s b-f his own name, instead of always keeping him hidden in Toothy's shadow?
Jennifer
Noblesville, Indiana

Dear Moniker Minded:
Fine. Let’s call the poor boy Gray Goose, ‘cause that’s what he’ll look like by the time G2’s closeted homo actor guy comes clean.

Dear Ted:
Don't you think it is time to put the Toothy Tile saga behind us?
Tom
Mt. Laurel, New Jersey

Dear Dumb-Butt:
No, and neither do you, so shut up, would ya?

Tom! You did it again!

Wicked said...

I'm talking to Tom right now and he's practically driving off the road!

Holy shit, Gray Goose, Wild Turkey, Austin Nichols!

frenchy said...

I'm back sooner than I thought. Just in time for Ted!

Well done again Magic Tom! :D

Ted did not answer my letter but I just got my answer. TT and BF Tile are apparently still going stong. :)

BWF, Graham is one of Martin's friends. At one point he hangs around with him as Martin is shooting a video. They also share the same GF.

Who's that, his encounter with that guy is really funny. But this one really cracked me up: "Back off, bitch, he's the messiah!" :D

Zero, I will re-watch BB with the commentary shortly. And I really mean it this time. I know it's supposed to be quite good.

Blue Velvet said...

Gray Goose! - That name should put an end to any doubts that Austin is the bf. Ted couldn't be more obvious.

OK, Tom - is this number three? You definitely have the right formula for getting Ted to answer your questions. Congrats!

Wicked said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Wicked said...

Blue, this is number three for Tom and he told me tonight that he's going for ten! :)

Florida Tom said...

Ok dumb-butt is a little confused. At first I thought Ted was saying Austin would not come out but after rereading the sentence he says G2's bf actor will not come out. Meaning Jake.
Ok if Grey Goose = Wild Turkey what the heck does he mean by Moniker Minded?

I told Wicked something big was gonna happen in the column tonight. I never thought it would be Ted calling me a dumb-butt:-)

Anonymous said...

Well, I'll be damned. After five months and about two dozen tries, Ted has finally answered one of my letters!

That's right! I'm Jennifer!

And maybe I'm just giddy here about it all, but after gleaning from Ted's tone that Jake and Austin are still together and going strong, I can't help but be colored a trifle jealous. A love that strong, that secure, a love able to weather all manner of shitstorms and PR twisters, a love willing to wait, grow, hold each firm and safe is...well, a rare and precious thing indeed.

*sigh*

Sorry 'bout going sappy on youse guys.

frenchy said...

Fine. Let’s call the poor boy Gray Goose, ‘cause that’s what he’ll look like by the time G2’s closeted homo actor guy comes clean.

So they're still together but no coming-out is apparently in the cards right? And Ted sounds pretty much resigned about it.

frenchy said...

Congrats me! :)

Anonymous said...

Frenchy, I think it is more like 'the making of Bubble Boy' that I am referring to, you get to see how they build the bubble, and how Jake got involved with that and making sure he could wear it etc... The commentary if I remember is good too, Jake is on it as well.

Special K said...

Wow -- both "me" and Tom got letters answered from Ted.

I agree me, Ted lets us know that they are still together despite all the obstacles. What a testament to their love.

"A love that strong, that secure, a love able to weather all manner of shitstorms and PR twisters, a love willing to wait, grow, hold each firm and safe is...well, a rare and precious thing indeed."

What a beautiful description, I couldn't put any better.

Wicked said...

AG- going to be! He's been! Congrats to both ME and Tom for getting their letters answered. I am now resigned to the fact that Ted will never answer any of mine. Well, I guess one reason for that could be that I haven't written to him in more than a year!

Blue Velvet said...

Congrats, me! Ted's answer to your letter confirmed that Austin is the bf and that TT and bf are still together. That's a lot more info than he's given us in a long time. Thanks! :)

Anonymous said...

You silly rabbits, Ted's interns are feeding you whatever you want to hear. The fact that he printed Tom's lette 3 times shows that his audience consists of just you people. And TT isn't coming out? How convienent. And they are still together? Tell that to Meagan, fan fic is so much fun to write!

Anonymous said...

Very creative thread, Special, very nice! Looking forward to seeing Austi in Friday Night Lights, and that's a great pic of him.

And wow, I'm blown away by this song by Neko Case. I have to hear more of her.

Anonymous said...

Wow the trolls don't usually come over here. That paranoia is growing.

Honestly I don't care who Jake is screwing. I just think it's funny 8.48 that you have to follow Austin and Ted around on your never ending quest to prove Jake is a raging heterosexual

Anonymous said...

Don't worry your head, Jack at 8.48. I'm sure after two and a half years of Toothy and no public gf Jake still appreciates your on-going support for his str8ness.

Anonymous said...

great but i don't believe ted: big problem

Anonymous said...

E-mail Ted directly then and get it all off your chest. Us silly rabbits will survive without you just fine.

Anonymous said...

I feel Ted has reaffirmed what we tbs continue to believe. Made me feel good. special k, whenever I am walking my dog listening to my ipod,and I hear Norah Jones singing "Come Away With Me" To get to the point, maybe this would be a good song to hear here.

Special K said...

Thanks for the suggestion Joker! We love requests.

Special K said...

Remember please do not feed the trolls they get very bloated and I hate cleaning up after a troll burp.

Special K said...

New Post!