Save "Friday Night Lights" from an early death

Someone needs to give "Friday Night Lights" some love.

Someone who is not me - or every critic out there who loves the show but can't seem to bring it out of ratings hell - and it needs to happen fast. Apparently NBC entertainment head Ben Silverman doesn't seem to think "FNL" can last its already shortened sophomore season, which airs its last pre-strike episode tonight. In between pushing "30 Rock" as the best show on television, Silverman is quoted as saying "I love it. You love it. Unfortunately, no one watches it. That's the thing with shows. People have to watch them. We're NBC, we have a reputation to uphold."

We won't comment on the fact that Silverman clearly thinks a little too much about NBC’'s "reputation" (the same network who will shortly bring you “Baby Borrowers”).

Let's return to the matter at hand. I've said it once and I'll say it again: "Friday Night Lights" is hands down one of the best shows on television.

Now, I know what you’re thinking (if you’ve even read this far) - haven't you heard this familiar whine from people pushing their favorite shows, especially when they want to save it from an early demise? You probably have. But let me plead out my case. Here's why you should be watching:

It's not just about football: If football is what’s turning you off from this show, put aside your disdain for the pigskin and watch. Especially in season two, the football has taken a backseat to the heart of the show: the funny, feeling and flawed people who inhabit Dillon, Texas. If you want to see an accurate - yet dramatic - portrayal of middle class America, this is the show you should be watching. Naturally, there is some football, but, come on, the show's called "Friday Night Lights." Were you really expecting knitting?

Eric and Tammy Taylor: As the coach and wife duo, Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton play the most believable, interesting and dynamic TV couple on-screen. Watch to see them handle career shifts, an unplanned pregnancy, teenage rebellion from daughter Julie and everything that makes marriages break - or, in this case, work. They make the most ordinary moments - like arguing over who’s going to pick up Julie or the groceries - natural, touching and funny.

Landry Clarke (Jesse Plemons): Every show has its jokester, but few of them end up stealing scenes with the same laidback ease as Landry. He started off as the awkward babbling sidekick to the team's quarterback, then evolved into a main character in Season 2 during a much ballyhooed murder subplot that went nowhere rather fast. But Landry's guilt - his heartfelt inner struggle between his crime and his religious beliefs coupled with his magnificent crush on Tyra that started the whole mess - propelled him to the top of the pile. In many ways Landry is the heart of the show: often a voice of reason and humor delivered in a laconic Texan drawl. If he ever starts that Christian speed metal band, I know I'm in.

Brian "Smash" Williams and his mother, Corrina: Mama Smash (Liz Mikel) raised no fool, but Brian (Gaius Charles) is just that some times. Then you remember he's a 17-year-old high school student trying to turn his talent as a running back into a full-time career to support his family. With his scholarship with the mythical Texas Methodist University on the line after a dubious racially-charged assault in which Smash came out on the wrong end, we see beyond his bravado of his persona and find a heartbroken kid. Of course, we - like him, hopefully - learn to appreciate his mother's wisdom when she points out time after time that football is not life. Even in Texas (or Green Bay).

Underage eye-candy: Yes, I'm not ashamed to push a show on the fact that some of the guys (and gals) are easy on the eyes.

All the episodes from Season 1 and 2 are both available online here. The show airs on NBC on Fridays at 8 p.m.

--Malavika Jagannathan, mjaganna@greenbaypressgazette.com