‘Friday Night Lights’ Gets Renewed

Yeah, yeah, I know it’s not movie news, but how can you pass up news that the absolutely best-written show on television has been picked up for yet another season. Â  Finally, a network realizes that they have something special in their lineup.

Friday Night Lights has been teetering on the cancellation ladder ever since its first season, but news comes down from Michael Ausiello of EW today that, not only has the show been picked up for a season 4, it has been picked up for two more seasons (26 episodes in all). Â  Official word of this announcement should be coming any day now.

There was no word yet on whether it would air on DirectTV before jumping to NBC for a January premier (this was what the show did for season 3), but that seems likely.

It doesn’t look like everyone will be returning for a full season, though.   Both Adranne Palicki and Minka Kelly are moving on to other television shows.   Palicki will have a recurring guest spot on CSI: Miami and Kelly was recently cast in the CW pilot Body Politic.   Both look to have multiple-episode arcs a la Gaius Charles and Scott Porter in season 3.

Seriously, though.   If you are not watching this show, do yourself a favor.   Tape it.   Tivo it.   DVR it.   Watch it tonight.   Just try it for one episode, and I’m sure you will be hooked.   It is the most realistic depiction of small-town life I’ve ever seen on TV.   Also, I’m man enough to say that probably 99% of the episodes, at some point, bring a tear to my eyes.   A great show, and this is great news that it is coming back for two more seasons.

Source: EW