Producer `optimistic' about `Friday Night Lights'
LOS ANGELES (AP) - March 20, 2008 Executive producer Jason Katims said he's "incredibly
optimistic" about a third season for the drama, which has been in
limbo since the writers strike ended.
"There's no deal yet for the show," Katims said Wednesday at
the William S. Paley Television Festival. "But we are being
incredibly optimistic that's going to happen and happen soon."
Although a critical hit, ratings were low for the show, which
depicts small-town Texas life where high school football is king.
When viewers last saw the Dillon Panthers, the team was gearing
up for the playoffs. Because of the writers strike, which halted
most TV production, seven of the 22 episodes NBC ordered for season
two weren't produced.
Fans have fought to keep the show on the air, launching
www.SaveFridayNightLights.tv and asking viewers to send donations
to fill NBC entertainment chief Ben Silverman's mailbox with
miniature plastic footballs.
"I think the answer is going to be pretty soon," Katims said.
"I have a feeling we're two or three weeks away from knowing."
A spokeswoman for NBC said Thursday the network had no comment.
Katims said a third season would likely pick up after the
planned events of season two. However, the series would integrate
unused story lines into the new season, which he said could begin
filming as soon as July.