FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS Loses Two Series Regulars
July 8, 2008 by Kath Skerry
The following contains casting information about the upcoming season of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS which to some could be considered spoilers. Read at your own discretion.
EW’s Michael Ausiello is reporting that two former stars of the Dillon Panthers will not be returning as series regulars when FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS returns for its third season this Fall.
Gaius Charles who plays the hot headed Brian ‘Smash’ Williams and Jason Porter, best known as former QB1 Jason Street will both only appear on a recurring basis according to Ausiello’s sources. These same sources added that there were both financial and creative reasons that these actors won’t be returning as series regulars.
Financial reasons aside, as much as I will miss Street and Smash I can see why these two characters were on the chopping block. The WGA strike really ruined the fantastic arc that the writers had created around the revocation of Smash’s college scholarship. The storyline gave Gaius some incredible material to work with and as a fan I was anxious to see how it played itself out. But unless the entire show were to be held back in terms of the timeline, the story would no longer make sense.
As for Porter’s Jason Street, well come on now, who didn’t see that coming? Most of last season was spent playing ‘where in the world is 6?’. Weeks would go by without anything more than a quick glance or mention of his name, I guess to remind us that he still existed. It actually perplexed me because although I could see how the writers would find it difficult to infuse Jason into the football/high school scenarios, I thought there was an amazing story to be told about this guy whose whole life was turned upside down in a split second by his tragic accident. There was real promise with Jason being involved with the team as a coach, but it really didn’t go anywhere. And that was the trend for this character all season. A bunch of start and stop storylines that the viewers couldn’t connect to. I mean were we really supposed to care about Jason supposedly fathering a baby with this random waitress? It felt too contrived and against the superb storytelling of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.
So as sad as I am not to have these characters and these great actors around Dillon, TX next season I can see why it had to happen. It makes sense. But with all do respect to these actors I have a much bigger concern. Does less screen time for Smash mean less screen time for Mama Smash? What Liz Mikel brings to the role and by extension to the show can not be as easily dismissed. I hope the show sees her value and finds a way to keep her around. She’s an amazing talent.
Thanks to Alyssa for the tip.
Related Posts
Filed under Friday Night Lights
No Street?? Aw man! I actually did care about the BabyMama storyline, because I love me some Jason, as well as some Scott Porter.
I thought that he was MIA a lot when I first watched season two – as it aired. However, if you watch it on DVD, he is actually in most episodes. I know. Crazy.
Maybe now Scott can come back to Broadway. I’ve been a fan of him since his Altar Boyz days.
I think Scott Porter is one of best, if not the best, young actors on the show, so I’m sad to see him go. He really brought a lot to what could have been a standard, boring “good boy” role.
Scott and Gaius are two of the best young actors on TV so I’m sad to hear that they’ll only be recurring characters – but as long as they have some part on the show still, I guess I can accept it. I’m curious to see what the storylines will be next season with the two of them leaving. And I also hate that this means no more Mama Smash!
Disappointing what else can this show do to alienate more possible viewers. Smash was easily the best character on the show last season.
While I didn’t dislike either character, they were never favorites of mine. I will be more sad if Mama Smash has to go too 🙁
Actually, Street’s baby storyline had me interested. But, it really never made sense to me that he would stay in Dillon after school was done (although I don’t know if he actually graduated or if college was a viable option for him).
I feel the strike ruined the stories of both these characters.
Along with these two, I’m not sure how much screentime for Riggins and Lila will make sense either. Hopefully they let them graduate instead of keeping them in high school limbo. I suppose it would make sense for Riggins to hang around the tow (maybe help coach?), but I think Lila would go to college.
Here’s some info they aren’t mentioning about Smash
http://classicgangonly.blogspot.com/2008/06/what-happens-next-friday-night-lights.html
As long as it’s not Riggins (or the Taylor’s), I’ll survive. They had too many characters to focus on last year and it just can’t be done to everyone’s satisfaction. I will miss mama Smash and I would like it if the could find some way to keep her, but really the best scenes were between her and Smash. And yes I want more Lila and Tim or Tim and anybody.