Posted at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7

If you’re a fan of “Friday Night Lights,” please pay close attention. (If you’re not, what’s wrong with you?!)

Friday’s episode (Feb. 8) is the last completed before the Hollywood writers’ strike began three months ago. But I’m starting to worry that it’s the last new episode ever for the smart, enthralling drama.

NBC entertainment co-chairman Ben Silverman, who I have to say has been a great supporter of the series, suggested in a recent interview with radaronline.com that there may not be anything more he or NBC can do to save the show.

“I love it. You love it. Unfortunately, no one watches it,” Silverman told Radar. “That’s the thing with shows. People have to watch them.”

Gulp! That’s horrible news and I hate having to break it to you. I’m trying to get in touch with someone at NBC to confirm the fate of “Friday Night Lights,” but I’ve had no luck so far.

Silverman did offer the just slightest hope in the Radar chat, however. “Man, with this writers’ strike ... well, we’ll see what we can do.”

The writers’ strike is one reason it makes sense for NBC to renew “FNL.” The show is somewhat established, has already been rolling on Season 2 and can get back up and running more quickly.

The show’s unfussy style of shooting means episodes are finished much more quickly too.

And although “FNL” still is ratings-challenged in its 8 p.m. Friday time slot, it does score in certain areas.

Variety recently reported that the show has the youngest-skewing audience on Fridays, with an average viewer age of 48. It is staying competitive in the coveted 18-to-49 demo and usually winning the thin Friday night 18-to-34 crowd, Variety said.

The article also said that, according to Nielsen Media Research, “FNL” sees a 38 percent jump from its “live” audience to its “live plus 7-day” audience. “Live plus 7-day” is the rating that adds all the viewers from who watch the show on their DVRs within a week.

So “FNL” is scoring some positive numbers, not to mention that it is one of the most well-written, compelling shows on TV.

And frankly, NBC needs some good scripted dramas to offset all the stupid reality shows it’s launching.

“My Dad is Better than Your Dad” and “The Baby Borrowers”? Come on, “Friday Night Lights” is much more worthy of attention.

I hope Silverman and NBC find something they can do to save “Friday Night Lights.” It deserves yet another chance.

If you agree with me, please leave me a message here.

You can also voice your opinion to NBC. Here are some suggestions:

I suggest we help clear NBC’s eyes by sending some Visine to the network.

After all, the Dillon Panthers’ rallying cry is "Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose!”

Posted at 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 5

I was far too cynical a kid in high school to enjoy pep rallies. But I think that's exactly what's needed to save "Friday Night Lights."

So here's my pep rally speech.

Despite dismal ratings, NBC heroically has brought back its best drama, possibly TV's best drama, for a second season this year. And you are going to watch.

Got it?

Honestly, I don't understand why only 5.9 million people, on average, watched last season. "Friday Night Lights" offers incredible acting, lively football, risky story lines and the most honest depiction of small town life you'll find anywhere. I know this; I'm from a small town.

It's an incredibly written and well-acted show. Every line and plot are honest. Every action and reaction ring true.

Just to catch you up, "FNL" is the story of Dillon, Texas, where everyone in town lives for high school football. They've got little else to look forward to. The show has its share of troubled teens and adults, but its much more intelligent than a prime-time soap. Who sleeps together is not the issue here; it’s how the characters survive their troubled situations.

As season two begins at 8 p.m. Friday (when you will tune it), former Panther Coach Eric Taylor and his pregnant wife are living apart after he took a college coaching job. Their daughter Julie is blowing off her boyfriend Matt while flirting with an older guy. Matt's also dealing with trouble at practice, where the new coach is building the team around cocky running back Smash Williams. Former cheerleader Lyla Garrity has found God while her ex, Jason Street, tries to find his way as a coach. And in what could become a controversial story for fans, the budding romance between fast girl Tyra and mathlete Landry will be tested.

To go into much more detail would be unfair to you guys. But trust me, you don't want to miss the show.

Folks who've never watched "FNL" should trust me to. Tune in. It's your best TV bet, I promise. Here are 10 reasons why you should watch.

Go "Friday Night Lights"!

10. Great date show

I'm stereotyping here, but there's enough drama/romance to keep a girlfriend enthralled and enough football to keep a boyfriend cheering. So make a weekly Friday dinner date with your mate, watch the show and make out when its over. Er..., go out when it's over.

9. Best story lines on TV

The plots are more real than any reality show like "The Hills." "FNL" presents the drama that real people deal with every day: deciding whether to take a job, arguing with a friend or family member, deciding whether to forgive someone, breaking up, accepting disappointment or finding success.

8. You know these people

The real issues are dealt with by real people on the show. You'll recognize your friends, family members—even yourself—in the characters. You know all these people.

7. Taylor Kitsch (right)

In no way do I mean to diminish his acting ability, but Taylor Kitsch is hot. Seriously. Smoking. Hot. Big bonus: Within the first three episodes, Kitsch's bad boy Tim Riggins gets his own McSteamy-like scene. Call him McSleepy.

6. Best cast on TV

Kitsch, along with practically everyone else on this show, turned in TV's best performances last season--and continue to in the three new episodes I've seen. Besides Kitsch, pay close attention to Jesse Plemons as Landry; Adrianne Palicki as Tyra; Brad Leland as team booster Buddy Garrity and Scott Porter as Street.

5. Support our guy

Evanston native and Northwestern University grad Zach Gilford (left) plays Saracen. I've never met Gilford, but he plays Saracen's shy awkwardness so well, I can't imagine he's not the same way. He's another of the show's amazing young actors.

4. BFFs

Saracen and Landry; Riggins and Street; Tyra and Julie. Few shows on TV present same-sex friendships so honestly—in all their complicated, messy glory.

3. Love of the underdog

Everyone loves an underdog story, right? Besides being an underdog itself, "FNL" overflows with underdog stories. Shy Saracen is forced into the first QB position when Street gets hurt. Wheelchair-bound Street fights to regain movement in his arms, and this season wants to walk again. Landry wants to date Tyra so badly he tries out for the football team. Even the town of Dillon is an underdog, with its bad economy and few jobs.

2. Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton (right)

Chandler and Britton, as Coach and his wife, Tami, are the heart of "FNL." In the premiere, Coach is ordered back to his college job early after Tami has their baby, causing immense tension between the two. They know they can't live apart much longer. Chandler and Britton show their characters' anguish with awkward silence and evasive eyes. And when Tami breaks down after Coach leaves, it's heartbreaking.

1. You need a good cry

Yes, I admit it. I cry when I watch "FNL." What of it? Everyone should cry like that once a week; it feels great. This show will make you feel great. Plus, now that it's on Friday nights, you can release all that tension from the work week in one good cry, then go out and have a great weekend. Or record the show and watch on Saturday morning when you're hung over. You're already getting rid of the toxins from Friday night; why not lose any tension too?

I don't care how you do it, just watch "Friday Night Lights."