'Fess up! Are you sleeping through 'Friday Night Lights'?

jesse Wed, Oct 24, 2007 at 01:07 PM EST

Doesn't affect me at all, I use a DVR to watch this awesome show.
I certainly hope this show continues, the acting is some of the best on TV right now, in my opinion.

tony Wed, Oct 24, 2007 at 12:46 PM EST

My wife and I love FNL. I told her that I couldn't understand how the mid-show recap makes any sense. She suggested that NBC was probably doing a half-time report like on a football game. That kinda makes sense to me.

evie Wed, Oct 24, 2007 at 11:01 AM EST

What irritates me more are recaps for shows that don't need them--"Previously on America's Next Top Model!" Trust me, CW, it doesn't matter if you've never seen an ep of this show, NO ONE is going to have trouble figuring out what's going on.

K.I.S.S. Wed, Oct 24, 2007 at 02:09 AM EST

The new time slot is pretty condesending-A show with Friday in the title, has to be aired on Fridays? Even though Fri. & Sat. nights are considered the "graveyard" for TV shows, lest we forget that the original "CSI" initially aired on Fridays at 9 (EST). It's lead in (the brilliant Tim Daly remake of "The Fugitive"), didn't even last till mid-season. Crime solvers (no matter how far fetched the writing is) sex, celebrities dancing, Doctors in love & lust, sh*tcoms (that are neither funny or original), these shows top the ratings. You can't force quality on viewers, although I'd love to. Kudos to (former NBC programming chief) Kevin Reilly for giving FNL, Office, Earl, & 30 Rock a renewal. Now, Mr. Silverman, please use your Bravo network and re-run these shows late nights. NOT ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON MARATHONS! Just a thought, but FNL in "ER's 10 PM Thursday slot might prove to be a winning move. Let(dying) ER do battle on Fridays

Jer Wed, Oct 24, 2007 at 02:02 AM EST

I wouldn't care if they had to cut to a thirty second recording of a baby and puppies every commercial break, so long as it gets people watching and in turn, keeps the show around. People are seriously complaining about this? Complain about the 33%-of-the-screen Premonition banners that are cutting a swath across Heroes and The Office. Please DON'T watch Premonition just to help prove a point.

Nate Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 03:24 PM EST

The WB actually tried this first with "Gilmore Girls" in the first season when it was on Thursday against "Friends" and it helped them plenty, I think; it was OK for those who watch the full hours, but it helped draw in other viewers. I don't think it works in this case because there are no new shows starting on the half-hour, and unlike the WB-caps which were pretty much 'this happened and this happened', these feel kind of insulting, like you don't know what's going on at all.

shonna Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 02:58 PM EST

who cares??? this is the best show on tv. if you're a true fan, this shouldn't even matter.

Tony Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 01:28 PM EST

I think the recaps are stupid, but I love FNL so much that if that's what they need to do to pay the bills and stay on the air, I'm more than willing to ignore it. The rest of the show is smart enough that this little insult to my intelligence isn't going to hurt.

nancy Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 11:41 AM EST

Confession: I TiVo this show b/c I am at my son's football game during the run time. So, I FF through this recap and ads. However, I did fall asleep during the show 2 weeks ago -

Maybe the recap is for people who are getting home at 9:30? I don't know - I'm sure there is a reason somewhere - but I can't guess it.

Holly Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 11:41 AM EST

I agree. The replays are stupid and make me, the viewer, feel stupid. I wish they would go away. Can't JCPenny sponser another way than this.

Kiki Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 11:06 AM EST

It's irritating because I have it tivoed and when I see the recap I think it's the actual show starting again and then I have to fastforward more. TEASE!!

ohguy Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 11:01 AM EST

So instead of annoying us with these useless uninfomative recaps, why doesn't NBC air FNL on a night and at a time when people will watch it and not need an annoying recap?? The show deserves a better time slot. I recommend Monday nights at 10, following Heroes. The Journey Man show is a flop anyway. Why not give the best drama on the network a great lead in show at a time that will serve it and its audience better? Is that to much to ask dear network execs?

kana Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 10:43 AM EST

i hate them, it's an insult. It's the age of TiVo/DVR, we don't need mid-episode recaps!

LisaMama Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 10:34 AM EST

I understand why they do it, for those of who are loyal fans, it's a pain in the neck.

melissa Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 10:12 AM EST

I figured the recaps were for people coming into the episode late. NBC has used them before other shows (including "Heroes" a few times last year, maybe?) and I remember WB or the CW maybe inserting them into "Smallville." They always seem silly and overly dramatic.

Liz Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 10:05 AM EST

What bothers me about these recaplets is not the mere fact that they exist, but that they're not actually long enough to recap everything that's happened in the episode so far. There were so many fabulous sub-plots going on last week, and, if I remember correctly, they only mentioned two or three of them and then said, "And now you're all caught up!" But you really weren't.

I do think they're kind of unnecessary, though, in this day and age. We could use those 30 seconds for more Riggins screen time!

Cam Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 09:55 AM EST

Hmm...maybe that explains why Vegas was doing the same thing last year after moving to Friday nights. What great customer service! But it's still stupid in the DVR age.

Joe Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 09:50 AM EST

Shawn's right: The recaps were added since the Friday night schedule change for regional football fans who may come to the show late (and not have a DVR).
FNL is a smartly written, acted, and directed show that doesn't talk down to the heartland. I think people are a little too quick to dismiss "stupid Americans" on here.

dave-o Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 09:28 AM EST

big deal. law & order has been doing this for years.

Shawn Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 08:49 AM EST

From what I've heard, the reason they are doing this is to catch people up on the show who are returning from watching an actual high school football game. Since Friday Night Lights airs on Fridays, when actual high school games are going on, it's understandable that several people who may have interest in the show also have interest in high school football. Most high school games end right around the beginning of the show, so most people get home around the high half point.

KJ Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 08:47 AM EST

I agree. They are random, at best. But I suppose, FNL could be confusing for people who don't follow it and didn't watch the first season. A lure to catch channel flippers? Most definitely. But if I can deal with Tyra/Landry body dump, well then the replay doesn't really bother me.

Ceballos Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 08:28 AM EST

Thanks for bringing this up Marc...I've noticed this the first few episodes and actually thought it was comical. I mean, other people mentioned that FNL is mainly up against other hour-long shows, so it really comes off like they don't think we can remember what just happened.

I realize it's a bit insulting to some, but I think it's kinda funny and sorta encouraging that NBC is at least TRYING different things to keep/draw in viewers for this fantastic show.

Mikey Likes TV Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 08:11 AM EST

It's definitely an attempt to lure in new viewers who happen upon NBC at the half hour. They're just trying to get better ratings. It's frustrating for someone who actually watches, but it's understandable.

Wayne Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 07:38 AM EST

Americans are retards. We need all the help we can get. NBC is just desperate to help people enjoy something they should have zero problem enjoying.

Shirley Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 07:10 AM EST

I dislike the "spoonfeeding", if someone is coming in late they can always view the episode online or record the show.

Strepsi Tue, Oct 23, 2007 at 07:09 AM EST

I've seen it where an hour long program is against a half-hour program, so people may join it halfway through -- but since FNL is on opposite only 1 hour shows, yeah, that's spoonfeeding. Don't just tell me the plot, I just WATCHED IT! (Which is also exactly what I say after reading Tim Stack's Desperate Housewives recaps... someone teach that boy some wit!)