Thursday, April 28, 2011

Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Stop.

So, we went away for Passover, and now we're back, and I never want to see another piece of matzah again, ever. Or at least until next year. Whatever. Let's talk about what's really important, which is my present Friday Night Lights fixation. As I mentioned in a prior post, I recently started the series from the beginning, during my journey to and from Seattle a few weeks back. It was so good that I stopped after a few episodes, realizing that J would love it, too. And lo, I got him hooked and now we're both obsessed. I am the Nancy to his Sid, only without all the heroin and murder.

The thing is, the show started, like, five years ago, and we keep having these in-depth discussions like the damn thing premiered last week. This has manifested itself in a number of embarrassing ways, not the least of which is my reverting to some sort of giggly, flushed adolescent whenever Tim Riggins appears onscreen. He is clearly the lovechild of Tom Brady and Jordan Catalano, and I'm basically about five steps away from redecorating with a taped-together magazine shrine of his visage, as I was wont to do with my crushes, circa late-'90s:


Another weird thing happening is that --by osmosis -- I'm immersing myself in the culture of fictional Dillon, Texas, where the show is based. I do not live in an area of the country where fancy cowboy boots are A Thing, but this show is making me think I not only need them, but can make them work flawlessly with a pantsuit. I have had actual dreams about such boots. Beautiful, haunting dreams.

I'm also quite taken with all things Coach Taylor, and want him to come to all my meetings from this day forward. I think he can really get people motivated to do literally anything. Maybe even to wash my car! Who knows? The possibilities are endless! Suck it, skydivers-holding-hands TEAMWORK POSTER. No one needs you anymore!

We've grown EMOTIONALLY INVESTED in the show, is what I'm saying, only we are VERY MANY YEARS too late to the party, and cannot plow through the episodes fast enough. Will Smash make it? What will be with Tim? How do I get Tami Taylor's hair? When will I stop despising Buddy Garrity? (People keep saying it's coming, but WHEN?) What in the name of all that is holy is up with Jason Street's weird vampire mask smile, and can they stop focusing on it so much because it makes me uncomfortable and I'm genuinely scared he's going to break though my TV, The Ring-style, and kill me in my sleep?

Clearly, I'm in need of help, having just devoted an entire blog post to a TV show that -- once again -- is...not new. So, let me just say this: if you haven't yet seen Friday Night Lights, watch it, obviously, and if you have, well, let's talk about it. And the purchase of the cowboy boots.

30 comments:

whoorl said...

My favorite show EVER, and I have all the damn DVDs to prove it.

Cyndi said...

I've been watching since the beginning, and trying to tell everyone that it's the best show on TV. I recently bought all 5 seasons on DVD but I can't bring myself to watch season 5. I want to drag it out as long as possible. I can't say goodbye.

Liz said...

Ok: true story. I introduced my 14 year old step daughter to FNL last year, when she was 13 (math is fun!) The following conversation happened between her and me and my good friend:

Me and good friend: {Swoon} Tim Riggins!

Stepdaughter: How can you guys like Tim Riggins {eye roll} Matt Saracen is TOTALLY more awesome

Us: WHAT? CHILD! LEARN THE WAYS OF THE WORLD! TIM! RIGGINS!

Stepdaugher: {eyeroll} Whatever. THIS is why you guys dated poorly in your twenties.

TRUE. FUCKING. STORY.

The flip side: that was while she was in season 1. Now that we're in season 4, she's come around to the Tim Riggins love. And um, I am reluctantly admitting that it's likely that a 14 yr old should prefer the Matt Saracens of the world at that point in life.

But let's get back to the point: I got HUGELY schooled in my dating tastes by a child that was born in 1997.

Carrisa said...

I just wrote an entire blog post about this show too. I've watched the first four seasons on Netflix in the last month. And now season 5 episodes are airing on Friday nights on NBC. So I'm dvr-ing those.

I love Matt and Landry. Tim and Coach make me weak in the knees. And loving Buddy? It happens in season 4. Maybe sooner depending on your standards. :)

Also? Tyra = girl crush

Adventures In Babywearing said...

I have not seen this show! Now I will, and I'll be behind you. Must catch up. Also, in the beginning of mom blogging time, I knew a blogger that was the daughter of the real life coach that the show is about. She stopped blogging right around the time the show/movie came out. I should look her up...

Steph

Jonniker said...

Best show on television, hands down.

I can talk about it for HOURS.

OK, so the cowboy boot thing? It only gets worse. There is a point in the show's future where Lyla Garrity wears black ones TO A FUNERAL and I was like, well THAT is a great look! I'll have to see if I can pull that off!

And Tami Taylor wears them with EVERYTHING and I just ... well, clearly I need three pairs: cream, black and brown. Clearly.

I also have hot dreams of Tim Riggins every time I catch an episode. EVERY TIME.

Sharon said...

I haven't watched FNL yet, but I keep hearing from so many people about how awesome it is. I will probably get around to starting it this summer.

But what I'm really here to comment on is that Leo collage. Is it sad that I recognized every single photo in that, and had the exact same photos plastered all over my locker at school?! ;)

Jamie Lovely said...

THIS SHOW.

I pretty much watched the first four seasons in two weeks over the holidays and then illegally downloaded the final season because I don't have directtv and sure as hell wasn't waiting to find out what happened when it finally came on regular tv.

Also, I have a Tim Riggins problem. I just can't even talk about it.

Oh and I started throwing around y'all like I'm Tami Taylor or something. Everyone was all - no bitch, you're from Chicago. SIT THE HELL DOWN.

I'm like five seconds from packing up and moving to Texas. For real.

ZDub said...

I grew up in Oklahoma and we wore fancy cowboy boots to everything. I had a red pair that I sold in a church garage sale. I wish I still had them because I would rock them out with leggings and some crazy tunic and glasses and people would admire me from afar. Like they would be all, "Oh there is that hot lady in the red boots" when I came out of the grocery store and stuff.

Kristy said...

I live in Texas. The cowboy boots thing...absolutely true. I can't think of a dressy occasion that my father has not worn his "good boots". I need to revisit FNL. For some reason, we stopped watching it when it was on tv. Great show.

Marianne said...

I don't think I need to tell you, again, how much I love this show. But I do. And I'm SO SAD that I'm watching the final season now. WOE.

LizScott said...

@Jonniker: I KNOW! I suffer the horrible delusion that if Tami Taylor can pull it off, so can I.

I cannot. But that doesn't keep me from wanting to try.

missris said...

I'm from Austin (where the show is filmed) and it is so realistic it makes me homesick. Also, the week before I moved to Chicago I found red cowboy boots for $5 at Goodwill and MAN do I rock those things. They go with everything! And when they don't it doesn't matter because they're a statement piece! If anyone looks at me askance I just tell them I'm from Austin, y'all. And don't even get me started on Tim Riggins. We'll just say that football boys at MY high school didn't look like that. If they had I'd probably still be in high school.

Rhiannon said...

I really, really need to watch this program.

Rhiannon said...

I really, really need to watch this program.

Moose said...

It's true. I have never in my life thought cowboy boots were a good idea. AND NOW I WANT THEM IN RED. Gifted to me by Tim Riggins of course.

Elz said...

I haven't watched it only because I LIVED it. Texas high school football, especially in small towns is king. Capital K-I-N-G. Also, cowboy boots go with most everything, but I live in Texas, so...

Anonymous said...

I had my first, true grown-up moment (at age 37) when I realized that I am more drawn to Coach Taylor than Tim Riggins.

The thing about this show (I could go on and on and on) is that my husband and I love it equally. We put the kids to bed an hour early tonight (knowing full well it means an early morning tomorrow) just so we could watch it. That's some seriously powerful shit.

Just you wait...

-Ilsa

Jaime said...

I LOVE THIS SHOW! I'm just now watching the last season and am so, so sad it's the LAST season. Oh, Tim Riggins! I DO NOT WANT TO QUIT YOU!

buttersugarflour said...

Yeah, what everyone else said! Friday night is stay at home date night in our house, and my heart will break without it. Every episode ending elicits a gut wrenching "uoh" from me.

MC said...

LOVE this show! Coach and Tami are SO GREAT! And a heads up...it will not be until Season Four that Buddy starts to shine. I spent a LONG time hating the guy! ENJOY!

ANTM said...

I have not seen this show but now I must watch!

Kerri Anne said...

This post, combined with Jen and Jennie telling me for months now that it's the best show ever and I would verily love it, means it's next on my "to watch" list.

Right after I work my way through the rest of Buffy, for the um...cough, third, cough time.

Jennifer said...

I'm torn between Coach Taylor and Tim Riggins, honestly. YUM.

Best show ever on television. I didn't believe people before. I started watching it on Netflix last summer when I was 8,293 months pregnant and could do nothing but moan on the couch in the air conditioning. And we thankfully have Directv so I was able to watch the final season already. It did not disappoint. Other than the fact that it's OVER, obviously.

Mandy Hornbuckle said...

The guy who plays Buddy Garrity lives in my town. They shoot in Austin, but he lives up here in North Dallas. My dad ran into him at the gas station the other day. Fun times.

NaomiTanakaJesson said...

I SO love Jordan Catalano of My So-called Life. I haven't started watching it but I hear ya on watching things from way back... I blame my Netflix Canada's poor selection. I may have to start watching this if the Man might like it.

kat said...

yes! best. show. ever.

i just finished watching season four so am also so behind the bandwagon on this one and it's just so damn good. all of it. tim riggins. matt. julie. coach and mrs. coach.

i love it. all of it. we need a support group.

Anonymous said...

My obsession is Tami Taylor. I can't decide if I'd rather BE her or have her as my next door neighbor!

Sharon said...

Ever since reading this post and another friend's ravings about how awesome this show is, I decided to check it out. I was hooked about 10 minutes into the pilot. Oh my GAWD, why did I not start watching this sooner?! There's no way I'll ever be able to catch up and watch any episodes as they air, but I'm glad I am watching now. I'm so in love with Tim Riggins too. YOWZA. Break me off a piece of THAT, please! ;)

Anna said...

My husband and I just started watching this year, too. We are obsessed! We're on Season 5 right now and have slowed down a lot because we don't want it to end. I miss Landry and Tyra. We were at a movie the other night and saw a preview for the new, terrible GI Joe movie and Tyra is in it. I started squealing, "It's Tyra!"