Comments on: TGFF: Thank God for “Friday Night Lights”

By: Jo

Jo — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:55:05 +0000

A really interesting, thoughtful post. I don’t have any experience with evangelism and I always wondered how accurately/inaccurately that part of the show was being portrayed.

For what it’s worth, the theme song isn’t actually by Explosions in the Sky — it’s W.G. Snuffy Walden, who is kind of a TV-theme-music superstar (did a lot of cool orchestral stuff for The West Wing).

By: ERomano

ERomano — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:14:54 +0000

One more thing…FNL would be smart to run some of their born-again Lyla storylines by a Christian. One thing that always bothered me is that Lyla, a beautiful, young woman, was ministering in the MALE PRISON! Anyone who has ever done any type of evangelism knows that she would have been at a female prison. (But, she did meet Santiago, Buddy’s new roomie, and Buddy gained some approval from Lyla..and the whole storyline flowed) But, anyone knows she would have never been put in that situation in the name of ministry!!!

Oh — and Explosions in the Sky is wonderful! My FNL-watching is not a complete experience unless I listen to the entire theme-song!

By: Ben Bartlett

Ben Bartlett — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:31:05 +0000

Oh, great point. The theme song is terrific. It's fun and thoughtful and wistful all at the same time, blending perfectly with the Texas landscape and the uncertain/hopeful outlook of the characters. Thanks for pointing that out! Ben Bartletts last blog post..Fun notes and pictures.

By: SolShine7

SolShine7 — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 21:05:09 +0000

Friday Night Lights is one of my absolute favorite TV shows. It’s brilliantly done and I’m glad they’re giving it another season. I pretty much agree with you on all your points, good and bad. But one thing I’d like to add is it’s amazing theme song by Explosions in the Sky. They’re one of my favorite bands.

SolShine7s last blog post..Band Spotlight: The Golden Sounds

By: Sherry Early

Sherry Early — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:03:50 +0000

I haven’t seen the show, but I did grow up in San Angelo, 100 miles from Odessa, and we played football with the Odessa teams. And I grew up in the evangelical, mostly Southern Baptist, culture that is a big part of West Texas life and even West Texas football. I think it’s too bad that the show can’t or won’t portray the good, bad and the ugly of this culture accurately, according to your review. Yes, kids were hypocritical sometimes, playing church, or not playing, but others were genuinely changed by the power of the gospel. It’s too bad we can’t have an honest portrayal of both sides of the story.

In the most recent WORLD magazine, Gene Veith writes:

“In the TV culture, teen sex, single adult sex, and—in the most dramatic shift in sexual mores in history—homosexuality are all perfectly acceptable, unproblematic, and normal. Conversely, traditional sexual morality is presented as weird, strange, and out of the mainstream.”

TV cannot seem to deal with good, morally straight characters. It has to tear them down.

By: Ben Bartlett

Ben Bartlett — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:13:20 +0000

Thanks for your comments!

I definitely struggle with Lyla’s storyline. Though I agree with most of what you said, it was really frustrating when she was “disappointed” that things didn’t go further with the radio guy at the end of season two. And their church doesn’t seem to be too theologically grounded. Still, it’s hard to ask too much of a secular show.

One character who HAS been very classy, though, is Lyla’s radio boyfriend, who so far has been very faithful with his life. We’ll see what happens!

Ben Bartletts last blog post..Fun notes and pictures.

By: ERomano

ERomano — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:09:26 +0000

Great article. I am an evangelical Christian who has been a big fan of this show since it started. When I heard Lyla was going to be “born again” I was nervous, and although they have not done a great job with the storyline, I was pleased they didn’t go the way of every other show on TV and make it into a total joke. When born-again Lyla acts petty, I remind myself, “She’s a new Christian.” Maybe she acts more real than I care to admit? And, Riggins in church, while comical, is pretty inspiring. If it were real-life, he’d be the one to have the conversion experience and become a preacher! Again, interesting article on one of the only shows worth watching on TV!