It’s been praised by Time magazine, has been nominated for prestigious awards (no, not you Emmy), and is one of the best-written and acted dramas on television. And it’s in danger of being cancelled. Again.

Friday Night Lights (Friday, NBC, 9PM), a show about High School football team Dillon Panthers and its small-time Texas town, is getting the shaft. Finally, a show that isn’t about doctors, lawyers, or one of several emergency services, doesn’t have outrageous, never-would-happen-because-it’s-literally-not-possible storylines, and features teenagers that aren’t rich and spoiled, 30 playing an 18 year old, and in high school for 7+ years. In fact, some of the characters that were juniors or seniors in the show’s first season (we’re currently in season 3) have already exited as a true, upperclassman would.

The writers have developed the characters so wonderfully, while never being completely stereotypically written, or cast for that matter. Most of the actors, you’ve probably never heard of. And the storylines continue to engage the viewer and peel through the layers of the characters, while we naturally embrace each and every one of them whether we disliked them at one point or not (e.g. Buddy Garrity… for the fans). It’s poignant, invigorating, uplifting… so why is no one watching this diamond? Here are the reasons you should be:

The Taylors– Panthers Head-Coach Eric Taylor and Principal Tami Taylor (Connie Britton). While both important figures in Dillon, TX and the primary family of FNL, they are far from Texas royalty. Their banter-filled relationship, while strained daily with raising their family, dealings of Dillon (football and high school), and opposing opinions, is one that many families would aspire to. Connie Britton deserves awards. Lots of em.

Realistic Themes — The kids study, drink beer, worry about college, have parents in Iraq, take care of their families, play in garage bands, work after school, baby-sit their younger siblings, have sex (for the first time in some cases), are gay, are crippled, have hard working parents, get into fights, steal each others’ girlfriends, don’t have parents, are presidents of the student body, play football, and the list goes on. No sunbathing in Malibu here.

Lyla and Riggins — On one hand, you have Lyla Garrity, the flawlessly gorgeous cheerleader (every high school boy’s shwing) with brains and a goal in life to leave Dillon and never look back. On the other hand, you have the impervious, beer-guzzling, hunk-of-a-Dillon-Panther tailback, Tim Riggins, who cares more about six-packs and boobs than the potential football scholarship and the opportunity to be the first Riggins to go to college. Now put those hands together….

The Dillon Panthers — The epicenter of Dillon, TX, the true main character of the entire series and the story of the rise and fall of State Champions. And of course, the very realistic perspective of high-school football in Texas, from the hype of local business to the royal treatment of the star players, to the decisions made by the high school to use booster money towards a new scoreboard over desperately needed teachers and text books. Did I mention pep rallies? 

The Theme Song — If anything, give it a few seconds and just hear out the theme song. You should be hooked by then: friday-night-lights-theme

So again, why is no one watching? Like everyone else, we’re cutting costs, staying home more, eating in. So this Friday, do yourself and favor and skip the movie, stay home, and watch Friday Night Lights. Best money you’ve never spent. Then, go rent season 1 and 2 on Netflix. Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.  

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