Image Credit: Everett Collection; Bill Records/NBCEven in its series finale, Friday Night Lights tried to score one more touchdown. The drama—which kicks off its fifth (and final) season on DirecTV on Oct. 27—attempted to draft Billy Bob Thornton to reprise his role of Coach Gary Gaines from the feature film on which the TV show is based.
Why? Keep reading for the scoop…
Referring to himself and fellow exec producer Peter Berg—who directed the Oscar winner in the movie version—Jason Katims reveals, “We wanted to pay homage to the movie, so we came up with an idea for a cameo. But Billy wasn’t available.”
To give away the specifics of the proposed story would ruin a major development in FNL‘s swan song, but suffice it to say, it involved Coach Gaines’ small-screen successor, Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler).
And, Katims adds, don’t worry—you’ll never know what you’re missing. “We wanted the episode to be a rich and satisfying ending,” he says. “Nine-tenths good story and one-tenth nostalgia.”
I dont like reading about the end of this show. It’s SO close to my heart. I hope they bring back Liz Mikel, Smash’ mom. She was AMAZING on the show.
If he came onto the show as Bad Santa now THAT would be awesome.
and if he could bring his bartender girlfriend (Lauren Graham)THAT would be awesome!!
Guess Billy Bob was too busy doing another fantastic movie like Mr. Woodcock or Faster. If he didn’t hock his Oscar for drugs years ago, he could see it and be reminded that he was once a great actor.
Would it have been hijinks involving Coach Billy Bob mistaking Mrs. Taylor for his own wife?
Ha!
Never really thought about that before. Kyle Chandler is WAY hotter than Billy Bob.
Not even a contest, Christine. Kyle all the way.
I’m so glad this schmaltzy, sappy, middle-of-the-road overrated show is finally dying. Good riddance!
Over rated? It has never been nominated for the Emmy, and it is LOVED by those who follow it. I would say it is one of the most under rated shows on tv!
Yeah, OK. Go back to watching Big Brother.
I like Big Brother
yea yea, go cry about law & order, while the rest of us mourn a REAL show
Alright, let’s keep Law & Order out of this.
Agreed, Jeff. Don’t drag Law and Order into this disagreement. Or Jack will kick your ass.
This comment makes me doubt that you’ve ever actually seen the show, Chaz.
I see you, troll. Try harder next time.
oh, so everyone with a different opinion than you is a troll?
Nope, but “schmaltzy and sappy” really don’t describe FNL at all, so everyone here surmises that you’ve never seen it, or you wouldn’t have made such a comment. It’s terrific television, with amazing writing and acting. Sorry you missed out on such a stellar program.
No, a troll is someone who comes into an otherwise fun conversation and says something unfounded and mean-spirited. It’s perfectly legal and allowed to be a troll. It just sucks and turns the comment board into a sh*tty place to be.
are you insane?
So I’ve been told
Hi Chaz,
Just wanted to let you know that I just blew it in your Mom’s face.
If it helps, it was upon request.
Best,
JH
Oh, Johnny, you’re so dirty. I love it.
But was it schmaltzy? Or just sappy?
Chaz,
You were a mistake. I’m not talking about the rubber broke/bad timing kind of mistake.
I’m talking about I was broke and desperate for more meth and I couldn’t pass up the $10 to fornicate with some pony from Tijuana. Not in a million years did I expect you to be a result of that shocking, if not quite as satisfying as I hoped, night of passion with Tony the Pony (silly to name him Tony I know, but take it up with the owner).
Still Love Ya,
Mom
Epic fail.
Why are you here? You hate the show so much, I’m surprised you bothered to click on this post. FAIL.
Love how these trolls roam around the site making the same stupid comments about how glad they are a show is ending. Grow up, get out of the house and find something better to do.
If you’re not watching it, what do you care if it’s on or not? Why are you so weirdly obsessed? You do know how to change the channel, right?
And you’re here on this board why, exactly? Go waste time somewhere else, troll.
‘Course, you are entitled to your opinion. (No accounting for taste. grins.)
However, good luck with that slow descent into madness.
chuckles
The promos on ABC Family make me want to cry.
Hey way to promote something that wasn’t. Why even “report” this if it isn’t going to happen.
Because it was “exclusive.” That’s all that matter’s to Michael. If he can slap “exclusive” on it, it’s news worthy!
Wow, Julz, you’re so brilliant! What an amazing comment! I like how your “critique” actually applies to your own pointless addition to the conversation. Very meta!
As I recall, the wife of Gary Gaines in the movie was played by…Connie Britton. Wow, that would have been awkward.
We would have found out that Tami Taylor is indeed the ex-Mrs. Gaines. I wonder what Coach Gaines would have said when he ran into Buddy Garrity. And why these three have scarcely aged since 1988?
Probably better that this awkward cameo didn’t happen.
1988? Huh?
The original FNL movie was a period piece – it was based on a true story and took place in the late 1980s. It would be odd for Coach Gaines to appear 20 years later, and to hardly have aged at all.
The movie was spectacular, TV show awesome… let the mating begin!
Anyone ever read the book?
Yes I was about to comment on the fact that the Friday Night Lights movie is set in 1988 so if Billy Bob had guest starred, realistically they would have aged them 22 years, that or he would have looked like he aged only 6 years in 22.
the real question is how WILL the show end? I haven’t even got a guess. anyone?
Here’s how it would’ve gone: the show would have ended with someone wanting to make a movie adaptation of Coach Taylor’s life. Coach wouldn’t give the rights, so they changed his name to Gaines. BTW, they loved Tami so much they hired her to play her fictional self…
I will miss this show, but not the ridiculous ending I just made up.
Hey, could they get Tim McGraw to come back and play another obnoxious drunken father?