For almost three years Melanie has been telling me that I need to watch “Friday Night Lights,” but I have resisted because I typically do not enjoy an hour-long drama. I mean, do you know how much I can get done in an hour?
I can get TWO episodes of “House Hunters” done in an hour. That’s how much I can do.
Anyway, the other afternoon Mel and I were on the phone, and she was telling me how she’d watched a few old episodes of “FNL” the night before, and she said, “Listen. I need to talk to you about something. It just makes me SAD that you won’t watch. YOU ARE MISSING OUT. I’ve watched every show you have ever recommended to me, and I just think you need to make time to watch this ONE show I have recommended to you.”
“WELL.” I replied. “It looks like somebody has decided to THROW DOWN THE TV GAUNTLET.”
“YOU NEED TO WATCH.”
“Okay. Maybe I’ll watch an episode this afternoon.”
“YOU’VE BEEN SAYING THAT FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS.”
And that is why Saturday, January 9, in the Year of Our Lord 2010, will be remembered forever – at least by me – as the day Big Mama called me out on my TV procrastination. She held me accountable. She spoke a hard word into my TV-watching habits. And oh, it did not return void.
Because late Saturday afternoon – true to my word, though lo, IT TOOK ME TWO AND A HALF YEARS – I watched the first episode of season one of “Friday Night Lights.” And then I watched episode two. Then three. Then four five six. And then I went to bed and dreamed that I lived in Dillon, Texas and was a close personal friend of Tami and Eric Taylor.
So of course now I’m totally hooked on the show and made it through episode nine last night and am dying to watch more tonight because the Panthers are driving hard towards a state championship, but, well, first I have to soar to staggering new reality television heights on the wings of love with Jake Pavelka as my pilot.
I mean, just because I have a new-show crush on “Friday Night Lights” does not mean I can abandon my long-standing TV commitments. OH NO IT DOES NOT.
And because I know y’all are wondering (and I know you’re wondering because I have the emails in my inbox to prove it), Melanie is still working on getting her blog up and running again. It’s her story to tell – and oh, will it ever be hilarious when she tells it – so just suffice it to say that the technical side of server switching has been a smidge challenging. Character-building, if you will.
By the way, have I ever told y’all that I like to save the emails from my webhost because they make me laugh? Please don’t misunderstand: I ADORE my webhost people, and they have been so, so kind to me, but every once in awhile they’ll email an update about a server that’s crashed or something like that, and the only words I understand in the email are the prepositions and OCCASIONALLY the adjectives. But most of the nouns and the verbs? No idea.
Here’s an excerpt from one of my favorites. You might want to pour yourself a fresh beverage of your choosing before you enjoy this little treasure.
The exploit is completely valid and usable on the latest versions of openssh for centos / rhel. Initially there was some speculation on my part that it was solely available for older versions (4.3 without the backported patches, for example) but that’s since been confirmed falsed — this is an exploit for the latest and most recent versions of openssh and is 100% confirmed functional.
Here’s what really tickles me about that email: somebody sent it to me BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT I’D UNDERSTAND IT. And considering that our sweet friend Melanie is having to listen to / decipher / process that sort of language as she navigates her way through the server switch, it might not be a bad idea for us to activate some sort of prayer chain.
In all seriousness, she’s hoping to have everything resolved really soon, and quite naturally she misses you terribly.
GO PANTHERS!
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Oh my sweet goodness, I’m so glad you’re hooked on FNL like me…please tell me once the season starts you’ll blog it!!! I LOVE re-living the Office with you and would to do the same with FNL. It is just soooo stinking good and I’m not ashamed to admit that Riggins is my TV boyfriend…HA!
Oh, I too love House Hunters! I could just about watch ONLY HGTV and Food Network. I have watched a few episodes of The Office just from reading of your love for the show, and looks like now I’m gonna have to hit the FNL. There’s not much else good on. Except I am hooked on That 70′s Show and Reba.
You absolutely crack me up! I have never seen FNL, but then again, I’m no tv guru. “My shows” are The Office, Sesame Street, Dinosaur Train, Super Why, Wonder Pets, and Ni Hao Kai Lan, for crying out loud. I wish I were joking. The only show for grown ups that I ever watch is The Office, and that’s always on HULU at least 24 hours after it airs. We have cable, but I’m not sure why!
Anyway, so sorry for the tv rant… Didn’t know all of that was pent up in me!
1. I’ll take 11:00pm -12:00am on the prayer chain. Poor Mel.
2. That email MADE MY WEEK and it’s only Monday.
3. My husband may or may not have cried at an episode or 9 of Friday Night Lights.
4. I need prayer that I make it to choir Wednesday night. S is outta town and the thought of wrangling THREE KIDS at church alone makes me want to throw in the towel. I might go all desperate and call a babysitter. 3 kids on 3 floors makes every Sunday an expedition of some sort to take/retrieve them.
5. I am watching an episode of Unwrapped on Food Network that’s all about bacon. Get this, bacon ice cream, bacon flavored dental floss, and bacon scented air fresheners. Craziness.
Oh your post made me laugh. My husband and I have been watching that show for forever until it was pulled from NBC and put on DirectTV. We have missed it. After I read your post I got online and realized you can watch episodes from after they pulled it off NBC – who knew!? I’m so excited! Rarely do he and I agree on TV but this show was a thumbs up for us both. Anyhow – I am a FNL fan too!
I miss Melanie! She must hurry!!! There’s not much that can keep me from my House Hunters either. My husband gets so mad sometimes because it’s on so much and I record almost all of them (even the ones I’ve seen before).
Oh goodness! I am adding FNL to my Netflix instant watch queue right now. Looking forward to trying it out.
I’ve never watched that show either. Now you make me want to.
I totally understand that email….NOT
ohhhh, i just got the chills with your title alone ;)
I am so glad that you “got right” and watched FNL, a show near and dear to my heart. They shoot much of it near the school where I teach in Austin, so there are often sightings of the cast and crew around town. And, PS: Kyle Chandler and his family just bought a home here. So, if you need a place to stalkarazzi (I think that is a take off on paparazzi) when you TOTALLY fall for the show? This town is the place.
Confession time: I’ve never watched Friday Night Lights on the TV. Just the movie with Billy Bob Thornton, which was a delight, #ifidosaysomyself.
And that’s why I don’t think I’ll ever have a “fancy” blog. That email could have been in Portugese and I wouldn’t have understood it any more than I did.
And after a long break from HGTV (I was too depressed to watch it because I live in an apartment, and I am probably a little bit crazy about control and decor), I am now watching it pretty much 24/7. I am in love with Sarah’s House, and have enjoyed catching up with all of the House Hunters I’ve missed (the ones in Florida are my favorites…it’s that “tropical” decor.).
Ohh Boo- If you don’t have direct tv, run run fast to get it. Todd bought me an autographed pic of Timmy Riggins for Valentines last year and he bought himself an autographed pic of Tammy T. They are displayed in full view in the den. And you think you cried through season 1…just wait until season 4.
I absolutely love Friday Night Lights! I will re-watch all the seasons prior to the start of the new season. Can’t wait to be back in the stands cheering on the Panthers!
So what about glee? Do ya watch glee? You gotta watch glee?
I’m a long time fan of FNL, my husband and I get so into that we (well, that should be an “I”) have been known to shed tears over certain episodes and my husband wasn’t able to sleep after watching the season finale of Season 3.
Anyway – this post could totally be a conversation between me and sister-in-law. I’m going to send it to her and maybe it will be the thing that finally seals the deal!
Two words: Tim. Riggins.
my friend Sheri has been begging — BEGGING — me to watch Friday Night Lights. She’s even made me homemade guacamole to talk me into it. Then she made me her cream cheese brownie dessert to persuade me to at least just watch ONE EPISODE. But I haven’t yet. Even though I keep promising her I will.
Now you’ve inadvertently called me out on my own guilt.
Dadgumit, I guess I’ll go see if I can find one On Demand.
I suppose that’s where they would be?
I’ve seen a lot of TV in my 56 years and FNL is one of my all time favorites. I rank it right up there with St. Elsewhere and The West Wing as the best in drama.
FNL is easily the best show on TV right now. That Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton and the writers have not been nominated for Emmys is beyond me.
I will warn you, tho, Sophie, that season two kinda went off the rails a bit, but season three was spot on, and my husband and I have watched it through at least twice. The next to the last episode of season three is one of the finest written and acted and filmed episodes of TV ever. We’ve probably watched it a half dozen times!
Season four is airing on Direct TV currently, and will be shown on NBC sometime after the Olympics. Can’t Wait!
That message from your web hosting people is telling you that some virus is able to attack your machine if you’re running certain versions of RedHat Linux or CentOS (which is a variant of RedHat Linux). But oh my gosh, if I were paying them money I would want them to either a) take care of this sort of thing for me or b) send me emails that were easier for the layperson to understand.
I *love* the way Melanie confronted you about your TV habits. That is too sweet.
drop that goofy bachelor show and add friday night lights! it’s awesome. i have to agree with melanie on this one.
Welcome to Dillon TX BooMama!
I got hooked this summer after trying to resist many friends recommendations. My roommate and I watched 3 seasons in a span of a few weeks. I kept thinking the seasons would run out of steam but alas they did not, and this season has been awesome too! I want to be Tami Taylor!
PS…I echo the sentiments of Deanna above…Tim.
That Mel. Hard to resist her.
OH my, I just have to tell you that your blog is highlarious, and has opened my eyes to the wonders of John Freida’s Volumizing spray (I still have not mastered the art of spraying both sides, but I’m working on it). Does it make your hair mildy sticky? I have a blog too, but I would never get sent a message like you did because my blog is made from wood, rocks, and the tablets Moses used. Thanks for the laughs!
Sincerely,
Bumpit free Jen
It sounds like I need to start watching FNL myself! I am a sucker for new series and television. I have never gotten into FNL, but I think I should start! Everyone I talk to LOVES it! Can’t wait until Melanie is back. Poor Girl!
I’ve never watched “FNL” and now, you’ve got a girl a-wonderin’. I’d also never really watched The Office until this past weekend when a stomach virus decided to make me it’s 12 hour dwelling place. And, letmetellyou, I DO BELIEVE that Michael Scott and possibly Jim and Pam were the key to my recovery.
I’m not sayin’, I’m just sayin’.
Finally, tell Mel (b/c I don’t have her email address and even if I did I’d be too lazy to actually open a new tab and email her – so I’m assuming that you’ll be equally lazy and this message will never reach it’s desired destination) …..crap! I forgot what I wanted you to tell her. Stupid pregnant brain.
Maybe tomorrow. Or never.
Goodnight.
Welcome to the wonderful world of FNL!
OMG
you will NOT believe this but im currently in a state of shock..because I AM OBSESSED with friday night lights…
found it last week on netflix instant que and now we are on season 1 episode 14!!!!!!
OH SNAP!!
Go panthers go!
i heart tim riggins…oh and that kyle chandler..he’s just dreamy:)
I got it and my, now what was the rest? I hope she’s back soon. Maybe I’ll break down and watch FNL too.
I hold a grudge against FNL. They lied about my team–the Marshall Mavericks (which of course they also changed in the movie)! Well actually, the movie lied. But I have never forgiven them. For they (hear empahsis here) said, they won by one point. But the TRUTH is that we won by one point and Odessa lost! They LOST. They LOST. They LOST, I tell ya! And their footbal players also spit on our drill team. A lousy thing to do…
…not that I’m bitter.
You know I’m joking, right? Well, I’m sorta joking…
Words cannot express the joy I felt when I realized that you have been won over by the FNL. LOVE. THAT. SHOW.
And am equally as happy to learn from your comments that it will come back on NBC post-Olympics.
So glad Melanie was willing to step out and “care”-front you. :)
Thanks for giving in. Now I’m THE ONLY person who hasn’t watched that show. Maybe one day?
But THIS THURSDAY is the new season of Project Runway! That’s the one show that I watch faithfully.
Have a Happy Tuesday!
Ok my friends tried talking me into watching FNL too and I refused…not ANOTHER dramatic TV show. Well during interim in freezing cold MN january nothing else to help me procrastinate homework but my friends DVD set of FNL….I am ashamed to say I finished the whole first season in one weekend…then the second season the next weekend….then watched the third season every week…now I’m anxiously awaiting the fourth ;)
Love, love, love FNL! I, too couldn’t believe how much I liked it. I think we watched the entire first season in one weekend. I cannot wait to hear your take on tonight’s Bachelor…….those girls just crack me up!
I didn’t watch it the first season either because my husband talked about it ALL. THE. TIME. and I refused to give in to his bullying to watch it. I did catch the first season in reruns, and I am also hooked. I can’t believe it took you this long to watch it! I love me some Coach Taylor!
Oh, Friday Night Lights is my all-time favorite show. LOVE it! Glad you finally came to your senses and watched it. :)
That show is based on my high school’s rival high school, the Permian High Panthers in Odessa. (Quick fact: I went to Midland Lee with Cedric Benson. We graduated together. He escorted me onstage for the winter court and prevented me from falling on my bum during a curtsy gone wrong. I’m glad to see he’s meekly trying to clean himself up–any boy who saves me from humiliation deserves a second chance.) By the time I got to school, Permian wasn’t quite the powerhouse (we took the state title 3 years in a row), but still a formidable rival. Lots of people in the Midland-Odessa area are really proud of the FNL book and show. I’ve never watched, but am glad to hear it’s good.
Oh No! Geek Speak! Poor poor poor Melanie! I was wondering what was going on because it’s not like her AT ALL to miss a Monday and I was really getting worried! I think the prayer chain is a wonderful idea. I’ll put my name down for 10 am every day that she doesn’t post. ; )
I’ve been a huge fan of FNL for a long time. I hate that it’s getting the shaft from NBC with this whole DirecTV set-up they have, but at least there are still new episodes. I was afraid they were going to cancel it at first which would be ridiculous because it is one of the best, well-written shows on tv right now! I love the Taylor family dynamics in general–they’re very real, especially with Tami and Coach working at the same school. And the mother/daughter relationship scenes that we get to see–well, it’s brought my to tears more than a few times.
Greatest show ever! We watched it over the summer and were so hooked we would stay up until 3 or 4 in the morning just to watch.
Welcome to FNL! It will change your life forever.
As a huge fan of your tv blogging seein that title in my reader made me positively GIDDY. I was clapping at my screen in my cube at work.
See last september my friend put down her own gauntlet on FNL. Since then we have created a fan site and podcast! Http://www.fridaynightlightsfan.com
FNL has to be one of the best shows in TV history. I love the Taylors and am also a huge Riggins fan!!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Friday Night Lights! I have watched it since the first season and I have DIRECTV so I get to see the new seasons commercial free before they air on NBC! It is FABULOUS! One of the BEST shows EVER!
I think that FNL is the best show on television! It is my absolute FAVORITE. So glad that I have Direct TV and they have continued the show on the 101 network.
Glad you finally started to watch it!
Sophie — you are speaking to my TV soul here. My husband played football in high school and college, so I bought him the Season 1 Friday Night Lights DVDs for Christmas last year. And for whatever reason, he REFUSED to watch them! First, it was because he was too busy with the NFL playoffs. Then it was because it was no longer football season, so he didn’t want to watch a football show. Anyway — A YEAR LATER — I finally got him to watch the DVDs when we were traveling last week, and WE ARE HOOKED. We ripped through Season 1, and we just started watching Season 2 on Netflix. I mean, I come home from work, and the first words out of my mouth are, “Clear eyes, full hearts?” To which my husband responds, “Can’t lose! Let’s set it up!” And then we watch new episodes while we eat dinner.
I must admit that I have a horrible crush on Tim Riggins. In real life, I think I would be more of a Matt Saracen girl — I always liked the good, smart guys — but there is something about Tim Riggins. Oh my. Probably inappropriate for a married 30-year-old woman, but I don’t care. I’m declaring my love for Tim Riggins, Internet. So there.
The email from the website host reminds me of those old Verizon(I think) cell phone commercials where the people couldn’t understand callers and thought they were saying things like “scooter my daisy heads” and “totally blender shoes.”
I only started watching Friday Night Lights a Month or so ago, and I am just into the 3rd season. I just can’t stop watching, I love it! And I agree with some other posters… the title of your post gave me chills. :)
Oh BooMama, I am so, so, happy for your conversion to Friday Night Lights!! You will be greatly rewarded with drama, teen angst, love, hopes fulfilled, dreams delayed. . . It is some mighty fine television.
I have watched every episode from the beginning and I heart Dillon, Tx so much that I sometimes catch myself saying things like, “My friend Tami is married to a football coach” before I can slap my hand over my mouth and realize that I don’t actually know any of these pretend people. I would be more ashamed of my devotion to this television show if it weren’t so darn good. Happy watching.
I think we all need to be affirmed as 100% confirmed functional.
Have a great day!
Did you watch the bachelor monday night? I was hoping you did, I would LOVE to hear your thoughts on it!!!
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