OK! One more. If you did not watch FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, then you are missing what may be the greatest piece of recent television or at least one of the finest written programs in 30 years. It is not a show about football! And, it is. Football is the story telling vehicle for this fine piece of television. The show takes place in a fictional Texas town of Dillon, Texas. It could be any town in Texas, particularly a small, one high school town. For those of you who grew up in a large urban setting, the show will not resonate as much as it does for those whose formative years were spent in the Dillons all over Texas. With typical Hollywood abandon, some of the story lines were just not "real." The manner in which the public schools were run and decisions made were just laughable; however, once again, the whole set up was to tell a story. I have to admit that I do wince a couple of times about certain actions depicted on the show because I did see, up close and personal, them in my years as a cheerleading coach involved with high school football programs. But, the show is so much more than that.

For the skeptics , just watching the television treatment of the marriage between "Coach Eric and Tammy Taylor" makes the entire series worth while. It is rare to see Texas through Hollywood's lens depict a serious relationship with truth, compassion, honesty, and true regard for the hard work that marriage is. How Connie Britton or Kyle Chandler have not won an Emmy is beyond me. I encourage you all to give it a try. I will remember, forever, a pivotal scene when, "bad girl," Tyra's college essay is read. It was one of the finest pieces of writing I have heard in a long time. This little show that was at death's door several times is a study in redemption, survival, raising kids, staying together, and "Texas Forever."

I see a lot of former students in "Friday Night Lights." I have taught the Matt Saracens, the Tim Riggins, the Lyla Garrity's , the Tyra's, the Jess' , and all of the wonderful characters shown week after week. FNL is available on Netflix and on ESPN. I think it is one time that Hollywood has come close to hitting home runs that can make a difference. Do yourself a favor; you will not regret it. And, you will cry!