The TV Zone

I'm a very impatient guy and am sick of waiting for a response from NBC - even though I sent the email only about, oh, 15 seconds ago - so I think I just have to be out with it, confirmation or not: NBC is expected to renew "Friday Night Lights."

Yes, this is kinda old news to anyone who cruises Deadlinehollywood.com, which reported that NBC is forging an interesting kind of joint deal between the network and Directv - whereby (one assumes) DTV gets some sort of exclusive window, or whatever, after the NBC airing. Or maybe some sort of simultaneous airing.

I don't know. All these details bore me.

The simple fact is, "FNL" is back and that's important because it's probably the only show left on NBC next season that won't be hosted by Howie Mandel.

In fact, the deal - when it happens - is kinda interesting because it might be some sort of "template" for other deals that would save other worthy but low-rated shows (like "FNL..") NBC's already done this with "L&O:CI" and if I'm not mistaken, "Monk" has done double-network deals for something like a century.

Anyway, this is good news and couldn't wait to share.

(Update! The exemplary Jamie French of NBC has responded. I quote in full: "Sorry Verne. We are not commenting. Thanks.")