There are sports dramas, and then there’s Friday Night Lights.
While “The NFL” and other shows have explored the high drama that unfolds on the gridiron and in the locker room, no show in modern history has done it with as much heart as “The F.L.A.”
ESPN columnist Bill Simmons once hailed it as “the greatest sports-related show of all time.” Many critics would add that the game was not a particularly close one.
Now, type Universal Pictures is reportedly developing a reboot of the series, which aired from 2006 to 2011.
Of course, some fans are excited at the prospect of returning to the world of Texas high school football.
But the prevailing mood right now is one of utter confusion.
The question on the minds of many FNL believers is simple: Why?
Network managers often fail to avoid breaking perfection by passing back validated properties.
But in this case, the move is particularly confusing for a number of reasons.
First of all, the original Friday Night Lights isn’t that old.
Thirteen years may be an eternity in the entertainment industry, but FNL is doing extremely well and is still available to watch on Netflix.
In this case, the play is not of historical significance to young people because it depicts a bygone era with unrecognizable customs and beliefs.
Members of Generation Z might watch “Friends” or “The Office” to see a different world, but “Friday Night Lights” is almost shockingly contemporary in its themes and interests.
Its depiction of small-town life and the challenges of high school is as relevant now as it was in Bush’s day.
Speaking of politics, the changing situation in the world may have been one of the reasons for the decision to return to Dillon, Texas.
But part of the appeal of the original series is its timeless quality.
Friday Night Lights was originally a 1990 non-fiction novel by HG Bissinger.
It was subsequently adapted into the short-lived 1993 TV series Against the Grain (starring a young Ben Affleck!)
It then became a feature film in 2004, directed by Peter Berg, who happens to be Bissinger’s cousin.
It then continued into the Obama years, becoming a series with cross-demographic appeal that we rarely see these days.
With each iteration, the characters’ names have changed, but the town, team and coaching staff remain focused on winning as a means of maintaining community pride.
Yes, the original FLA dealt with timely issues like racism, abortion, and drug abuse, but in many ways, it was a distinctly old-school show.
Can the new series maintain the same level of populist appeal? able any Performing this magic trick in these highly divided times?
No program should strive for complete political impartiality, and the original FNL certainly did not do so.
But by the 2020s, the show could spark a thousand irritating reflections, similar to current speculation about Yellowstone’s political alignments. This is the last thing we need.
Enthusiasm for today’s news is further tempered by rumors that a new version of FNL will focus on an entirely new set of characters.
Of course, that means Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, and the rest of the incredible cast won’t be returning.
Britton seemed to confirm the rumor in his recent remarks on the subject.
“I heard they were making another Friday Night Lights, which I thought was weird,” she told Variety in September.
Needless to say, it doesn’t sound like she was involved in the plan.
So, yes, a remake could be happening, and we’re just as anxious as the backup quarterback being called up after the star signal-caller gets sidelined.
It’s a strange feeling to see such a great show back in the headlines, but with less dazzling enthusiasm. But when it comes to this restart, it is difficult for us to evoke the mentality of “clear eyes, broad mind, and can’t get lost”.
Over to you, TV fanatics! Do you think this Hail Mary could lead to a touchdown, or would you rather see Universal take a punt on the idea?
Hit the comments section below to share your thoughts!
Watch Friday Night Lights online
