"Friday Night Lights": More Talked About Than Watched?
Posted October 15th, 2007 by Rich Heldenfels
"Have you seen our ratings? We may need these fast-food jobs as a fallback."
Those of us who have fretted over the changes in the second season of "FNL" take no comfort from the latest Nielsen ratings. Variety reports here that the drama lost considerable audience from its season premiere to last Friday's telecast.
Now, you could argue that the numbers are misleading, since one of the competitors was Fox's baseball telecast. And as much as I have tried to pimp "FNL" in these parts (where my DVD of the first season is still circulating in order to woo viewers), it was not likely to drag people away from the Indians in a playoff game.
At the same time, "Women's Murder Club" will be a regular competitor, and it did a strong national number, probably sucking viewers away from "FNL." I have to think that, since "FNL" did better a week ago, the Tyra-Landry story prompted some viewers to defect. And this is not a show that can afford a lot of defections.
I do feel some regret about expressing concerns over the show before it began the second season. There are still so many good things in it (way more than "Women's Murder Club" will ever muster), and I want enough people to tune in to give it time for a course correction. But if it's getting close to time to write an "end of 'FNL' " column, it's going to be one that places a lot of blame on the show itself, for going in a direction that aimed for new viewers but risked antagonizing many of the faithful.
October 15th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
When you have three of the stars auditioning for the Justice League movie, it's a strong sign that even they consider the end coming soon for their show. NBC will probably wait for the next two episodes and then decide whether or not to pull the show for November sweeps. If it gets yanked then it might not return until Summer.
October 16th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Just because an actor auditions for a film , doesn't mean the actor thinks their current project is pending demise.
Scott Porter filmed Speed Racer over the summer , after "Lights" got a second season knod from NBC.
He certainly knew "Lights" was going to be there and went for Speed Racer too.
To be a part of a film franchise is a great opportunity , why wouldn't they try out for a part in it?
Does not equate to the actors considering the end of "Lights" is around the corner.