Cinerant

Let the Word Go Forth

"Friday Night Lights" and "Brothers and Sisters" are my two new favorite shows for the season.

"Friday Night Lights" is especially impressive because it is really unlike anything on television right now. It's a sincere drama about high school, about a small, rural town. It's about a "red state" way of life. It's about bonds, it's about family, it's about race, it's about commitment, it's about faith, and everything that separates America from everywhere else in the world. And oh, it's also about football.

Kyle Chandler definitely deserves an Emmy nomination for his role as the coach at the center of all this mess. But what might be even more impressive is the depth of the supporting cast, including Scott Porter as the injured QB, Jason and Zach Gillford as the put-upon QB, Matt Saracen. Additionally, the show has a surprising amount of time given to its female cast and the standout among them (so far) is Minka Kelly as , Lyla, Jason's girlfriend who believes that denial and optimism are inextricably linked. My roommate and I spent 15 minutes last night discussing whether we think Lyla is one of the most fascinating characters on TV right now, or if she's just completely one-dimensional. We ultimately decided that the fact we were going on and on about this, meant she had to be the former, which makes this show even better.

I jokingly called this "My So-Called Football Career" last night, and while I think there are comparisons to be made between this show and "My So-Called Life", if for no other reason than they're just incredibly well written, they're honest, and they're set in high school. But what I think sets this show apart is the depth of talent. "Life" was about Angela and very little else. Everything revolved around her. "Lights" is much more a portrait of a town and a love letter to a community--despite its obvious flaws.

As much as it kind of pains me to say this, I will. Skip "Gilmore Girls" and watch "Friday Night Lights" instead.

And while you're setting the DVR, be sure and catch "Brothers and Sisters." This show is the reason to watch ABC on Sunday nights considering the uneven season "Desperate Housewives" is having. It's emotional, engaging, without being too preachy. Sure, it all hasn't completely gelled yet--and it might not ever (though I think it will.) Nevertheless, there's a lot of fascinating and interesting stuff going on in this show. The female portion of the cast is doing most of the heavy lifting, and is more than capable of doing so. Right now, the men haven't been fleshed out that much--except for Justin, played by Dave Annabele, whose performance becomes emboldened every week. His strung out Vet character has the potential to go places, if they producers are willing to push him into new directions they've hinted at already.

I don't think it's also a coincidence that both these shows have references to the post 9/11 fallout. "Brothers and Sisters" has put it at the forefront, including an argument between the mom (Sally Field) and Kitty (Calista Flockhart) about Kitty's role in encouraging Justin to enlist in the military as a result of the Towers' collapse. Yet, "Lights" is taking a more organic approach, which is simply to have Matt's dad stationed in Iraq. That allows characters to mention where he is, eliciting a slightly overwhelmed look from the boy, and then it moves on without dwelling upon it. It's just great writing.

Bottom line. Check out "Brothers and Sisters" and give it a chance.

Put "Friday Night Lights" on your Must-See list. For those of you who I converted to the cult of "Veronica", I didn't fail you then, I won't fail you now. For those of you who aren't watching "Veronica Mars", SHAME ON YOU! Start watching it and "Friday Night Lights". It's an awesome pairing "Lights" on NBC at 8 and "Veronica" on the CW at 9. By 10:00, you'll be high on good TV. And what's better than that?

posted by cinegod @ 9:42 AM