<![CDATA[Gawker: defamer, save friday night lights]]> http://tags.gawker.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/gawker.com.png <![CDATA[Gawker: defamer, save friday night lights]]> http://gawker.com/tag/defamer/savefridaynightlights http://gawker.com/tag/defamer/savefridaynightlights <![CDATA[Despite The Best Efforts Of Viacom, 'Friday Night Lights' Gets Picked Up For Another Season]]> fridaynighlightbulb_2.jpgThe perenially ratings challenged yet highly adored Friday Night Lights has been on life support ever since the WGA Strike shut production down on the show's second season. First, Peacock Emperor Ben Silverman gave the show the Diss Of Death ("Unfortunately, no one watches it. That's the thing with shows. People have to watch them.") in an interview with Radar. Then, the good people over at Bestweekever.tv launched a spirited internet campaign in an attempt to save the show, only to be shut down days later by the shortsighted suits at Viacom. But just when it appeared that the guillotine was ready to fall, Nikki Finke is reporting that the show is set to be picked up for a third season, thanks to a unique partnership formed between NBC and DirectTV.

It's an innovative deal where NBC found a partner who will share costs and exhibition windows," an insider explained.

While Finke also reports that the network execs in Burbank definitely received scads of mini-footballs in a show of support from the show's loyal audience, there isn't any indication at press time that shattered lightbulbs made it any further than the mailroom. Either way, congratulations are due to all who fought for the show to survive. Don't get too excited, though, for all this news really means is that you've just bought yourselves another 365 days in which to start planning NEXT year's "Save Friday Night Lights" campaign. We'll see you then ... same bat time, same bat channel.

]]> http://gawker.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=364651&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Will 'Friday Night Lights' Be Rescued From Television Purgatory?]]> The plight of Friday Night Lights is a familiar one. Everybody likes it, but its ratings have been as handicapped as Jason Street. So, what's a network to do? First NBC tried moving it to Friday, then they tried injecting an off-putting murder subplot, but still no Nielsen love. Then the nice folks at bestweekever.tv got in on the act with their "Save Friday Night Lights Campaign" involving light bulbs and a petition, but even that was kiboshed by the Vh1 brass. Just when things were looking like the show would go the way of the dodo and Arrested Development, a new hope has arisen.

According to today's Variety, NBC is looking to share the drama with another network. They've reached out to E!, TNT, and even Direct TV. The idea here being that one of those places would share in the production costs, then both networks could broadcast it, and the show would live happily ever after. Not since Bonnie Hunt have TV execs wanted to give something so many chances. Well, here's hoping it works out this time. At the end of the day, who cares what channel it's on, so long as it's actually on?

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