I have no interest in watching Friday Night Lights, but I agree with author Buzz Bissinger (he wrote the book that the TV show is based on) when he gives his opinion of Dancing with the Stars.
He tells The Philadelphia Inquirer, where he used to work that "America is getting what it deserves - crappy, stupid, artificial reality TV...it's distressing that so many people are flocking to a show that's obviously contrived and ridiculous."
I agree, though I would extend the sentiment to almost every other reality show on the air right now. NBC isn't giving up on the show yet though. Not only has the network ordered nine more scripts for the show, it's also going to give it a shot in Studio 60's time slot next Monday at 10pm. Maybe some people will tune in after Heroes, which just keeps on getting stronger and stronger (in ratings as well as quality).
[via TV Tattle]
The TV Squad Podcast: Vik Sahay of Chuck, Oprah talk, brutal timeslots, and more!
TV Squad Ten: Top Ten ESPN shows from worst to first
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-24-2006 @ 4:08PM
BartmanDK said...
I dont get it either.. The whole Danceing.. thing is going on here in Denmark too right now, and its gotten to the point where the papers report on it every saturday and they also try to stir up "scandles" with those articles.. but i just dont get it.. its a crappy concept and a crappy show!!
Reply
10-24-2006 @ 4:34PM
Dave said...
Shows such as DWTS and Idol have appeal because the people on the shows do things that most of us wish we could. Of course, these "celebrities" have no jobs and all day to train, but most viewers don't realize that.
Reply
10-24-2006 @ 5:18PM
gillermoz said...
well, I agree with the opinion... too dumb to pay attention
Reply
10-24-2006 @ 4:40PM
Jonathan said...
Amen to that! Stupid freaking 'Dancing with the Retards'. I can't wait till this insipid sorry excuse for a television show ends in november. So that there will be 2 free spots on the top 20. But know Americans it will probably replaced by another CSI show or whatever procedural you people seem to adore! I swear most americans have the attention span of a dead goldish, that's why all the good 'serial' shows die and the 48 other procedural keep staying on the air year after year!
Alright i'm done ranting! sorry if i put every American in the same basket. I know you're not ALL like that but it just angers me that all the good shows i enjoy every year get cancelled so fast!
PS: i don't watch Friday Night Lights nor do i want to. I have ZERO interest in Football. :D
Reply
10-24-2006 @ 4:43PM
Ross said...
I was "casually" interested in this show last year, but this year takes the cake for stupid, crappy reality. I tune out Top Model, Bachelor, and Dancing...
Friday Night Lights...carry the torch and continue on...
Reply
10-24-2006 @ 4:45PM
Erosia said...
Personally I think it's become quite trite to blame all the evils of television on reality programming. Yeah, 90% of it is crap because 90% of everything is crap, sitcoms and dramas included. Blaming one genre for the overwhelming mediocrity of TV or any medium is naive.
Reply
10-24-2006 @ 5:21PM
Charles said...
If "Friday Night Lights" had any actual appeal and wasn't boring, maybe it would get good ratings and he wouldn't have to resort to attacking the competition to attract eyeballs to his own program.
Looks like Buzz Bissinger went to the Keith Olbermann School of Politics and Public Relations.
Reply
10-24-2006 @ 5:23PM
SamMalone said...
The herd mentality of networks doesn't help at all either. In 2 years everyone will be blaming the long-arc plot dramas that are all Lost copies.
Reply
10-24-2006 @ 5:25PM
pnwskier said...
I really care about football, I don't live in a small town, and I hate Texas. But anyone who isn't watching FNL because they think it's about football has got it all wrong. It's not about football. It's about people. Football just provides a backdrop for all sorts of interesting and realistic people interactions to play out. I'm glad NBC is not giving up on it yet, and in fact seems to be trying to give it a chance to succeed. Unfortunately, it's just not a show that lends itself to flashy promos, and it's easy to misunderstand if you've never seen it.
Reply
10-24-2006 @ 5:51PM
Ryan said...
Well that's one way of getting America to watch your show...
Reply
10-24-2006 @ 5:57PM
rick said...
Re: Having no interest in Friday Night Lights
What's interesting about the show is I've found it appeals most to people who think they won't like it and least to people who think they will.
As for Dancing..., well doesn't the title say it all?
Reply
10-24-2006 @ 6:30PM
Tyler Durden said...
It's not like FNL has been a beacon of good television. It's a prime-time soap opera. I was tuning in and giving it a chance because I thought it might be about football. It's not and I am done with it.
Reply
10-24-2006 @ 7:55PM
friday night lights said...
Don't let NBC cancel this great show! Sign the petition at: www.savefridaynightlights.com
Reply
10-24-2006 @ 9:35PM
Jason said...
I love FNL personally... I really hope it gets a full season. Fantastic cast, fantastic writing, and some good football to boot! :)
Reply
10-25-2006 @ 2:03AM
jake said...
I take great offense to the slamming of Dancing with the Stars -- it is great fun and it is a "reality" show that doesn't resort to backstabbing or people eating bugs. It's pure entertainment, but it is just rude to insult your competition just because Friday Night Lights is not pulling in the numbers. NCIS is also doing well in that same time slot -- why not the slam against that show as well? NBC has NEVER done well with the Tuesday at 8 slot and Buzz should beg NBC to change time slots instead of insulting DWTS which is just sour grapes and without merit.
Reply
10-25-2006 @ 9:04AM
Kira said...
WAHHH WAHHHH WAHHHH!
I hate whiney cry babies.
DWTS and American Idol are great shows for young families to watch together. There is not much on these days that I can watch with my husband, my five year old, and my 2 year old and have everyone enjoy themselves. I understand there is a lot of crap out there, but that has always been the case. However, slamming your competition with a blatant "holier than thou, I've got better taste than everyone else" attitude makes me wanna puke. I think FNL looked good, but my TV cart is already pretty full, but now any chance this guy had to try me out as a viewer has been lost. Sorry, putting me down won't ever win me over. Try again.
Reply
11-01-2006 @ 2:08PM
Sheila said...
I really enjoy both shows. I have started to tape one on one tv then watch the other on the second one. I'd be extremely disappointed to see FNL go off the air. It is a heck of a show. Just give it a chance. Kyle Chandler is flippin' hot! Heading over to sign the petition....
Reply
11-02-2006 @ 10:37PM
Barbara said...
Friday Night Lights is the very best new TV show this fall - do NOT cancel it. Dancing with the Stars will be done any second now and its audience should get a chance to get hooked on this show!
Reply