Summary

One in this series of seminars conducted by The Museum of Television & Radio which celebrate media as entertainment. Held at the Museum in Los Angeles, and moderated by Stuart Levine, senior editor at Daily Variety, this seminar examines "Friday Night Lights," the drama series -- based on the 1990 H.G. "Buzz" Bissinger book and 2004 film of the same name -- which follows the Dillon Panthers, a high school football team in small-town Texas. The evening opens with Rebecca Faez, director of administration at the Museum in Los Angeles, discussing why the Museum wished to honor "Friday Night Lights." Then, Levine briefly talks about why he loves the show before executive producer and writer Jason Katims introduces the "Friday Night Lights" episode "Mud Bowl" which is then screened in its entirety. In addition, a gag reel is shown. Afterward, Levine introduces the panelists: Katims and executive producer, writer, and director Peter Berg as well as cast members Taylor Kitsch, Jesse Plemons, Scott Porter, Minka Kelly, Aimee Teegarden, Zach Gilford, Connie Britton, and Kyle Chandler. Panelists touch on such topics as: whether NBC will renew the show for a second season; why Berg wanted to adapt the Bissinger book and 2004 film into a television series; how football became "the least interesting aspect of the show"; the casting process; how Chandler and Britton developed a husband-wife dynamic; the experience of filming the show outside of Los Angeles, in Austin, Texas; the unique filming process since the show uses zero sound stages; the freedom given to the show's writers; the difficulty in having half of the crew in Los Angeles while the show films in Austin; the show's more "intimate" scenes; the show's popularity amongst Austin locals; where the cast members would like to see their characters go in season two; and the ramifications for future storylines of the Dillon Panthers winning the state title in the season one finale. Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics: how much the actors know about actually playing football; acting while wearing football pads; whether spring football will be a part of season two; almost casting Dwight Yoakam as Coach Taylor; favorite scenes; Berg "batting a hundred" with the show's casting; and the veracity of the show's depiction of small-town Texas life.

(This tape includes the "Friday Night Lights" episode "Mud Bowl" (T:90762) as well as the gag reel (T:91014). These are part of the Museum's collection and may be viewed separately.)