Monday, May 12, 2014



      Very rarely does a book, movie and TV show containing the same plot, themes, and overall message become so popular and successful as Friday Night Lights. Why are we so infatuated and obsessed with this story? I am going to tackle this question in an Anthropological way using tips and tools taught to me by Professor Merrill at Plymouth State University.

The generic cover of the novel and movie




       I first saw the movie in middle school and I was in love. Especially with the character of Boobie Miles. His cocky bravado, athleticism, swagger and humorous one-liners captivated me. And his tragic and shocking injury made me realize just how realistic his situation was in American sports culture. Many kids put all their chips into their athletic talent. Especially kids who come from poor education and low social class. They have this beautiful dream of getting a full ride to college and maybe being able to be a professional in the certain sport that they cherish. They are treated like a greek god in their certain high school and often cheat life due to this. Cut class, treat women with disrespect, create an air of arrogance and just let the fame get to their head. It's very tough to stay humble and responsible when you can get away with things that the average student can't, Teachers favor you, you can get any girl you want, everyone wants to be your friend and everyone keeps reminding you how special you are at your certain athletic craft. I'm not saying this happens all across America but it is still quite common, especially down south with high school football. Constantly you hear corrupt stories where a certain star athlete is in trouble or a teacher/coach award them unfair treatment. The football team is more important than education in a lot of big time powerhouse high schools. The friday night game attendance is much more higher than the graduation ceremony or any  education council PTO meetings.

       As artifical as Boobie Miles was in some aspects, I think most American males would love to be him, even just for a day. Or Tim Riggins from the TV show. Or to even be apart of something as majestic and massive as the Permian High School football team would be joyous and a grand life experience.

The always talkative and flashy Boobie Miles from the movie that captivated America
   

        Men are obsessed with athletics and football. We love to be revered like Boobie Miles and want to be a ladies man like Tim Riggins. Especially in high school, were seeking popularity and being the king of the hallways is a high luxury we all chase. But what about the female demographic. Most American males enjoy a fascinating sports story like Friday Night Lights. The novel and movie is quite appealing to us guys. My girlfriend despises sports stories and movies. She loves art and photography and a real juicy/gossipy tale. But she like most girls, who are similar to her, are OBSESSED with the Friday Night Lights the TV show which is a six season series that is done airing on NBC but is a popular binge watch on Netflix. I watched about four seasons this summer on my Roku back home in Scituate, MA. ( side note- I got to meet Kyle Chandler in my hometown of Scituate, MA due to the fact that he was vacationing there ). But back to my main point. The show connected the gender differences and created a television series that everyone enjoyed. Mitt Romney and his wife love the show and even used the infamous slogan, "clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose" for their main campaign message back in 2012.  Even my mom is into it and she only watches soap operas.



The lovable characters from the infamous TV series
Kyle Chandler ( Coach Taylor ) and I at Coffee Corner in Scituate, MA





The television show really made the story an American phenomenon. Their is dramatic moments and romantic relationships that keep the woman mesmerized. Their is also this cult obsession with the character Tim Riggins. He's every young girl's heart throb. Which is probably why they kept him the whole series even when his character was done playing football. Old guys appreciate and respect the morals and way of life Coach Taylor displays. Older women are intrigued by how Tami doesn't live in her husbands shadow and creates her own personal success. Young bucks like myself love the football scenes and the intensity and passion shown. It makes us re-live our glory days in our certain sports we played and allows us to tap back in to those memories.

One common theme throughout all three dimensions of the story is the undisputed obsessional LOVE FOR FOOTBALL. America loves it's sports, loves it's athletes and we love it 24/7. That's why sports radio exists, that's why the sports section in a newspaper is one of the most popular to read, that's why ESPN is a television giant (which is ironic because it was laughed at when it was first created), that's why some high school facilities are just as nice as college ones and it's why athletes all across high school, college and the pros are treated like rockstars.

Ratliff stadium in Odessa, Texas



   

      We can be a very divided country. Democrat or Republican. Christian or atheist. Party animal or straight edge. For healthcare or against healthcare. Black, White, Hispanic, Asian etc. There is a lot of diversity in America and that can cause a lot of conflict. But when it comes to sports, there is no War to debate over, no legislative bill to bash and no town hall meeting to gossip about. There is the team to cheer for and the community closness that comes along with it. Where else do you hug a random stranger because you're team just scored? It's a very authentic, raw and beautiful thing. Odessa, Texas stops everything their doing every friday night in the fall and go cheer on their panthers as one massive voice. And people go to great lengths to ensure their team wins. The town line was changed in Odessa so more talented African-American players could play for the Panthers according to the book.  The coach also made more money than the principal. No one really cared either, as long as they got that state championship! More money was invested into athletic tape than the school's textbooks. The pressure these 17 and 18 year old kids felt was enormous and quite too large for someone that young. But with football in America, there truly is no morals. We are power hungry people who savior at the taste of victory. When you love something so much, there is always cons to it.

       Friday Night Lights embodies a lot of themes us as Americans love, hate and have experienced. The passion and hardships of high school football, the glory days of walking down those hallways and feeling important, the excitement and anxiety you feel when representing your school's sports team, the American dream and how an ACL injury or any bump in the road can demolish it,  the untouchable feeling you get as a big time athlete, the unhealthy or euphoric romantic relationship your involved in, being good parents, being a good friend/teammate, partying and being reckless, the individual ability we all have to be successful and the way a community can come together over something as simple as 100 yards.