Parents' Guide to

Friday Night Lights

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Poignant football drama scores; OK for teens.

TV Freeform, NBC Drama 2006
Friday Night Lights Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

age 15+

Based on 11 parent reviews

age 16+

WAY too much cleavage! The story line is basically about half dressed teen girls having sex with the football team

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
age 16+

Please watch with kids to discuss themes

I am glad I am watching this show with my 13, 15, and 17 year old daughters. There is a lot of teen drinking and several instances with adults having sex with minors. The adult/teen relationships are rarely discussed as inappropriate or illegal. My 17 year old asked my the adults don’t care that the kids are drinking all the time. The show has a lot of positive aspects and opens the door for great dialogue with teens. Without parent interaction I would caution allowing kids to watch it alone. It gives the appearance that casual sex and underage drinking are the norm and without consequences.

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (11):
Kids say (15):

Even if you aren't a football fan, it isn't hard to get caught up in some of the show's dramatic storylines, which include teen romance, strong friendship, personal rivalry, and family unity. For sports fans though, Friday Night Lights is full of football lingo and pre- and post-game rituals that have become part of high school football culture.

The show also deals with some weightier, more controversial issues, including underage drinking, racial tensions, murder, abusive relationships, and the serious risks involved in playing contact sports -- all of which are relevant to (and will probably interest) a lot of older middle schoolers and high schoolers. As long as these heavier topics are taken in context -- ideally, with some parental explanation -- the show is a well-executed drama for teens and up. Because, in the end, Friday Night Lights is about a whole lot more than just winning football games.

TV Details

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