So, I finally finished watching ‘Friday Night Lights,’ among the very few Golden Era TV shows (together with ‘LOST’) that came from a non-cable network. That comes with certain advantages, but, creatively, it can be a huge disadvantage when compared with short-order cable dramas. I could definitely see why FNL stood out as an example of one of the best dramas of the era, especially for a network show. It went places other network shows wouldn’t, worked hard not to fall into the standard tropes you see with those kinds of shows, and was entertaining, heartfelt, and all that. Enjoyed it, and I’m glad I took the time to watch all 5 seasons. That said … it’s no ‘LOST.’ If we’re comparing those two as the best network dramas of the Golden Era of TV, it’s just not close. To have so completely captured the minds of the TV-watching nation as ‘LOST’ did, especially in the pre-big-time-social-media era, there had to have been something extremely special. (And there was.)
In should add, promotionally-speaking, that I watched FNL on Amazon Prime, which I love. BN has a relationship with Amazon, where I say good things about Amazon, and they throw BN some revenue when you consume there. It’s easy enough for me, because I’m a hardcore Amazon user and have long preached its virtues to my friends and family long before I had any incentive to do so. So, yeah: use Amazon. Not just Prime, but also for buying things. Our latest purchase was a new mat to go under my office chair, because I’d destroyed the last one (probably during the Blogathon). Even if you already use Amazon anyway, you can use this link to do your shopping (bookmark it, if you want) and you’ll be supporting BN in the process. Easy enough.
After missing time due to a tragedy in the Dominican Republic, Starlin Castro will return to the Cubs on Tuesday in Cincinnati. Castro has been on the bereavement list since last week, when a car accident claimed the lives of one of his cousins and three friends. I can’t imagine what that’s been like for Castro, and hopefully baseball can serve as a kind of distraction as he goes through the grieving process. I’m sure his teammates will help with that, and he’ll be returning to what I expect is a very positive energy, with the Cubs having swept the Orioles and won six of eight. These events have a way of putting sports into perspective: they are simultaneously unimportant by contrast to “real life,” but also very important for the diversion, relief, and happiness they can provide.
In anticipation of Castro’s return tomorrow, the Cubs sent Logan Watkins back to AAA Iowa. He filled in well, and will likely return when rosters expand in September. Watkins, who turns 25 on Friday, hopes he can be a part of the Cubs’ future as a super utility player (CSN). The Cubs will have to make a decision this offseason on Watkins’ 40-man roster spot, if there is a crunch.
More tarp wackiness this weekend, though this one has a good ending, with Rick Renteria and Brandon Hyde helping out a grounds crew member who’d slipped under the tarp (Cubs.com).
Reminder: Episode 3 of BNTV records live tomorrow night at 8pm CT/9pm ET. Send your questions/comments to bntv AT bleachernation DOT com in advance, or show up for the live event and drop your questions/comments then in the comments or on Twitter.
He got the call up! Dylan Heuer, a swell dude (and BN’er) whose Iowa Cubs pictures you’ve undoubtedly seen around here and on Twitter many times before, got the call to Wrigley to cover the weekend series against the Orioles. You can see his magnificent shots here. What I like best about Dylan’s work is that he doesn’t just get clean, quality shots (he does that, too), but he often captures guys at just the right moment to put the mood into picture form. Example? That Alcantara/Baez shot at the top of the blog. Two young guys, making their way through their first big league experience. That shot just looks right to me.
Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here.
Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.
For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...
What a road it's been - continues to be - for Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. The former top prospect was on a rocket ship to Triple-A in 2021, and then mostly lost the last two years to various injuries....
So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib (Update: It's actually TWO fractured right ribs) and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs...
CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs took Game 1 against the Houston Astros in convincing fashion last night. So tonight, they'll go for the quick series win against Spencer Arrighetti at Wrigley Field (it'd be a good idea to win...
Ed. Note: Since this article was published, a CT scan revealed a rib fracture for Cody Bellinger, who is now on the Injured List. You can find all the details of that news in our most recent article right here....
With Cody Bellinger headed to the Injured List with a rib fracture, the Cubs are in need of another outfielder: center field prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming back up to the big leagues for the second time. https://twitter.com/670TheScore/status/1783217891195625709 Crow-Armstrong, 22,...
Hey, we're just having some early-season fun. So allow me to present the 'Mike Tauchman Is Clearly Better Than' list. As of this moment, Mike Tauchman has ... ... a higher wRC+ (151) than Pete Alonso, Fernando Tatis Jr., and...
Name a player hotter than Kevin Alcántara right now. Go ahead, I'll wait. (He's already raking again today. Literally as I type this.) More on Alcántara's big day and the Smokies home run parade last night in today's Cubs Farm...
Just three starts into his San Francisco Giants career, Blake Snell is heading to the injured list with a left-adductor strain. Oof. You hate to even say it — and who really knows if this was related — but early...
In 1997, I was a miserable Chicago Cubs fan. I mean, that was true a lot of the time, but I mean it in a very specific way that year: the Cubs had started the season 0-14. They had literally...
The Vegas Golden Knights meet the Dallas Stars on Saturday and are -120 on the moneyline, with the latter at +100.Golden Knights vs. Stars Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Golden Knights (-120)Underdog: Stars (+100)Total: 6Best Golden Knights vs. Stars Promo Codes[lasso type="table"...
On Thursday, Josh Naylor and the Cleveland Guardians (17-7) play Tyler O'Neill and the Boston Red Sox (14-11), with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 PM ET at Progressive Field.See how to watch the Cleveland-Boston matchup below.When is Guardians vs. Red...
The Toronto Maple Leafs are -112 on the moneyline against the Boston Bruins (-108) on Saturday, with this tight-looking matchup being played at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.Maple Leafs vs. Bruins Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Maple Leafs (-112)Underdog: Bruins (-108)Total: 6Best Maple...
The Seattle Mariners (12-12), led by Caleb Raleigh, visit Adolis Garcia and the Texas Rangers (13-12) on Thursday at 2:35 PM ET.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch Seattle take on Texas live.When is Mariners...
The San Diego Padres (13-13), with Randy Vasquez on the mound, visit the Colorado Rockies (6-18) who will counter with Dakota Hudson, at 3:10 PM ET on Thursday.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for TV and streaming...
The desert heat is rising in Las Vegas, and so are the expectations for the Raiders. The 2024 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, and the Silver and Black hold the 13th overall pick. Will they prioritize shoring up the offensive...
On Thursday, going for a series sweep, Ryan Jeffers and the Minnesota Twins (10-13) face the Chicago White Sox (3-21), with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 PM ET at Target Field.Keep reading to find out all the details on how...
Justin Verlander takes the mound for the Houston Astros (7-18) when they visit starter Javier Assad and the Chicago Cubs (15-9) at 2:20 PM ET on Thursday.See how to watch the Houston-Chicago matchup below.When is Astros vs. Cubs and when...
Salvador Perez and the Kansas City Royals (15-10) host Daulton Varsho and the Toronto Blue Jays (13-12) on Thursday, with first pitch at 2:10 PM ET.See how to watch the Kansas City-Toronto matchup below.When is Royals vs. Blue Jays and...
On Thursday, Juan Soto and the New York Yankees (17-8) play Abraham Toro and the Oakland Athletics (9-16), with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM ET at Yankee Stadium.The article below will give you everything you need to watch New...
NEWSLETTER
So, I finally finished watching ‘Friday Night Lights,’ among the very few Golden Era TV shows (together with ‘LOST’) that came from a non-cable network. That comes with certain advantages, but, creatively, it can be a huge disadvantage when compared with short-order cable dramas. I could definitely see why FNL stood out as an example of one of the best dramas of the era, especially for a network show. It went places other network shows wouldn’t, worked hard not to fall into the standard tropes you see with those kinds of shows, and was entertaining, heartfelt, and all that. Enjoyed it, and I’m glad I took the time to watch all 5 seasons. That said … it’s no ‘LOST.’ If we’re comparing those two as the best network dramas of the Golden Era of TV, it’s just not close. To have so completely captured the minds of the TV-watching nation as ‘LOST’ did, especially in the pre-big-time-social-media era, there had to have been something extremely special. (And there was.)
