Grid Effect

Alright, I have included in a plethora of links posts that Friday Night Lights has signed a deal to renew a third season. This has been going on for about a month now, and it appears a deal has yet to be signed onto. If there were any more hype surrounding this we’d have to change the name of the series from Friday Night Lights to just simply, “Reggie Bush”.

The deal is supposed to be considerably innovative, in which NBC and Direct TV split the cost of the show’s massive budget and both have rights to air on their respective networks. While this is still the deal that is currently being negotiated and one that everybody is “incredibly optimistic” about, we have our concerns.

For one, this is similar rhetoric to what we heard when Arrested Development was going off the air and shopping their series around. They even referenced their search for a new distributor during one of the final four episodes (”Home Building Organization? Nah, HBO doesn’t acquire unoriginal companies” “Well then it’s Showtime! We have to put on a show for the contractors”). Then as a deal was looming, Mitchell Hurwitz went and put the kibosh on it. Talk about an AD film has been resurrected by the cast, but I don’t think Hurwitz has even commented on it.

Deja vu man, deja vu.

Seeing as how the FNL franchise has already released a film with different characters, actors and storyline (that resembled the book much more than the series), it would be a tad absurd to release two films from the same story with the same title. So that is not really an outlet. But we could see Katims and Berg bailing on this series for favor of an alternative project, or if they reject the notion of being put upon by two ratings obsessed corporations as opposed to the usual one (I shouldn’t be too critical of NBC, they were patient with the series but no one watched it for a myriad of reasons). Of course, they closed well and that is the only reason we care if it returns or not.

But assuming the series does indeed return, if you thought the majority of season two was a little too influenced by NBC (which a significant percentage of the fans seemed too), then wait until the writers and producers have two networks breathing down their necks. All I’m saying is in case we do see a return, it might not look like the same series.

Shady Messenger From Direct TV: Jason, we’re going to need a lesbian scene with Lyla and Julie next episode.

Jason Katims (series creator): Sir, the two characters barely know each other. The only time they’ve shared scenes is during football games, and there is virtually no interaction between the two. We can’t just spontaneously have them stripping each other’s clothes off for the benefit of a potential audience that may or may not take notice.

Shady Messenger From NBC: Just put them at a party together or something. Julie’s distraught over Matt yet again and Lyla is drunk and on the cusp of renouncing her faith.

Katims: Surely you guys are joking.

SMFDT (observing text message): No, to the contrary, we’re quite serious. Just have Riggins or one of your other stock characters facilitate the encounter. Feel free to throw him into the mix as well.

Katims: (snickers smugly) Look gentlemen, first off I would hardly call Rigg-

SMFDT: No, you look! You sensitive fuck!

SMFN pulls SMFDT aside as Katims looks puzzled

SMFN (to SMFDT): Let me handle this, it’ll be easier that way.

SMFDT: Fine. (At both of them) I’ve got shit to do anyways.

SMFN leans over towards Katims so they can speak privately amongst the stage crew while SMFDT walks off dejectedly

SMFN: Alright, enough bullshit. Mr. Silverman has had enough of your weepy girlfriends and wives, and brooding male leads that your menial but insane fan base seems so infatuated with. I swear, if I have to open another package to find yet another football from some fucking crazed lonely spinster saying “save FNL!” then I swear to God Jason, that football is going to find its way into your rectum, and it will be as unpleasant as is humanly possible. Do we understand each other?

Katims: (mortified yet unsurprised) Yes sir.

SMFN: Good, now make this happen. I don’t give a fuck if they’re on a trampoline in front of a hundred onlookers or if they’re in Riggins’ truck at the Mexican border. You will do this, or we’ll have your nuts lopped off and make wishes as we throw them into the lake. Am I making myself clear?

Katims: (complacent) I think your suggestion can be accommodated. Thank you, the writing staff will probably love the concept.

SMFN: (Pat’s him on the back) I knew you’d come around.

SMFN turns to leave

Katims: Oh, can you do me a favor?

SMFN redirects his attention to Katims

Katims:Can you not tell Mr. Silverman about this conversation? Tell him…tell him I’m happy to accommodate him in any way he sees fit?

SMFN: Sure. He’ll be happy to hear that, Jason.

In other words, don’t necessarily expect the same series we’re used to seeing.

Back with some links tomorrow.