FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: PILOT {SERIES PREMIERE} (TV)
Summary
The first in this drama series, based on the 1990 H.G. "Buzz" Bissinger book and 2004 film of the same name, which follows the Dillon Panthers, a high school football team in small-town Texas. In this episode, new head coach Eric Taylor is followed by a news crew and heavily discussed by the townsfolk, who are strongly committed to their team. On Monday morning, second-string quarterback Matt Saracen cares for his grandmother before heading to school with Landry Clarke, though elsewhere troublemaking fullback Tim Riggins has a slower start. Eric gives an interview alongside his star quarterback Jason Street as his parents talk to a Notre Dame scout, while Brian "Smash" Williams refuses to discuss his father's death and Tim denies being hungover but acknowledges his dislike for Smash. At a local diner, Landry and Matt approach Eric's daughter Julie, but she declares that she does not date football players, despite the fact that Matt "barely plays." Matt and his devoted girlfriend Lyla give another interview, while Tim's girlfriend Tyra looks on with contempt.
Later, Matt and Landry discuss their mutual dislike of their small town, while Eric's wife Tami browses the classifieds for a bigger home, preparing to settle down in Dillon long-term. Coach Deeks reports back to Eric about the formidable team that they will face on Friday, reminding him of the importance of winning his first game. Lyla's father Buddy officially opens his car dealership with a ceremony and invites the football team onto the stage, and Eric makes a brief speech before turning it over to the charismatic Smash. Tami finds herself befriended by the local housewives, and Eric receives a stern talking-to from the local men about the upcoming game as Tyra flirtatiously creates tension between Smash and Tim. Later, Jason addresses a group of younger students who seem to idolize him, and he leads them all in a prayer. Eric decides to wait on choosing a house until after the game, clearly worried about the outcome, and Tim ponders his future, committed only to "living large in Texas" while his friend Jason enjoys a career as a professional athlete.
On game night, Eric gives his team a pep talk, concluding with their motto of "clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose." The Panthers score first, but the other team soon proves to be equally tough and the Panthers fall behind. After an anxious conversation in the locker room, Jason attempts to stop an interception, but is tackled hard and does not get up. Everyone is worried as the team's star player is taken off in an ambulance, and Matt is startled to be put in the game as quarterback for the first time. He immediately makes a mistake, but Eric calmly instructs him on what to do, and the Panthers' play improves and Smash makes a touchdown as Jason is treated in the emergency room. Everyone is thrilled as the Panthers manage to win the game in the last moments, but the team quickly regroups to pray for Jason's safety, then heading off to the hospital to sit alongside his family as they wait for news. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: October 3, 2006 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:45:49
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:89165
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Football; Texas; Women's Collection - Drama
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 2006-2011
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Brian Grazer … Executive Producer
- David Nevins … Executive Producer
- Sarah Aubrey … Executive Producer
- Peter Berg … Executive Producer, Director, Developed by, Writer
- John Cameron … Co-Executive Producer
- Nan Bernstein Freed … Producer
- Jeff Henry … Co-Producer
- Mike Lewis … Co-Producer
- H.G. Bissinger … Inspired by the book by
- Kyle Chandler … Cast, Eric Taylor
- Connie Britton … Cast, Tami Taylor
- Gaius Charles … Cast, Brian 'Smash' Williams
- Zach Gilford … Cast, Matt Saracen
- Minka Kelly … Cast, Lyla Garrity
- Taylor Kitsch … Cast, Tim Riggins
- Adrianne Palicki … Cast, Tyra Collette
- Jesse Plemons … Cast, Landry Clarke
- Scott Porter … Cast, Jason Street
- Aimee Teegarden … Cast, Julie Taylor
- Mathew Greer … Cast, Coach Deeks
- Libby Villari … Cast, Mayor Lucy Rodell
- Louanne Stephens … Cast, Mrs. Saracen
- Brad Leland … Cast, Buddy Garrity
- Derek Phillips … Cast, Billy Riggins
- Mark Nutter … Cast, Mr. Street
- Katherine Willis … Cast, Mrs. Street
- Marrilee McCommas … Cast, Pam Garrity
- Cindy Creekmore … Cast, Missy Aubrey
- Noble Pack … Cast, Little Buddy Garrity
- Kate Krause … Cast, Tabby Garrity
- Brian Phelan … Cast, QB Coach
- Dago Pates … Cast, David Matters
- John Hambrick … Cast, Eddie McManus
- Orlando Storm Smart … Cast, Little QB