Lots of notable Texans will be gathering at the 2007 Greater Austin Walk Now for Autism this Saturday to raise money for autism awareness and research.

One of the participants will be Jesse Plemons, who plays lovable sidekick and football player Landry on Friday Night Lights.

The Mart, Tex., native will be on hand at the event for pictures and autographs.

Plemons' mother is a teacher in Waco who works with children with autism.

The walk is at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Tex., the Austin American-Statesman reports.

Area residents should consider joining Jesse Plemons in this effort to raise money for a good cause - and maybe meet him, too!

A return to the glory years appears to be within reach for the real life Panthers of "Friday Night Lights" fame. Odessa Permian is 9-0 going into its regular season finale, the latest into a season they've been unbeaten since 1993.

"What's happening now has been a thing that's kind of brought back the good old days," said former Permian coach John Wilkins, who went 148-16 with two state titles from 1973 to 1985. "The crowds are coming back."

Odessa Permian won six state championships, three of them in the 1980s when the Panthers lost only 11 games. At that point, the assistant coaches were lured to better jobs and the school's pre-eminence gradually faded.

The last title came in 1991, and the vaunted Panthers lost an unthinkable 49 games in a 10-year stretch from 1997 through last season. That included the longest losing streak in school history, a six-game skid in 2004.

But an Eric Taylor-esque young coach — the only one of 11 since 1959 who also played for the school — is turning things around in this small West Texas city known for two things: oil and football. 

A return to glory: Odessa Permian - the school chronicled in the book "Friday Night Lights" by H.G. Bissinger - is unbeaten going into its season finale.

Last year, in only his second season, Darren Allman led the Panthers to a 9-4 season and a regional semifinal loss to Southlake Carroll, a school with four state titles in five years in Class 5A, the state's largest.

Gary Gaines, one of Allman's predecessors whose 1988 team was depicted in the book of the same name that inspired the movie and series Friday Night Lights, said the 38-year-old Allman has returned the team to fundamentals.

"He just had a little better insight as to what was needed," Gaines said. "He has just put it all together."

Continue reading this article on Permian from MSNBC ...

As fans gather in our forum to discuss each character and story line, the Friday Night Lights Insider staff has come together to share its thoughts on the latest episode of Season 2 of the best show on TV in a Round Table format.

Round Table topics for "Let's Get It On" include the Panthers' last-second win, the heroics and troubles of Landry, and the (hot, and wet) adventures of Jason ...
1. More uncomfortable: an interrogation from Landry's father, or receiving romantic advice from Coach Mac McGill?

pantherpride4lyfe: Coach Mac. That's as uncomfortable as it gets. Landry's dad? That was more like terrifying. I was nervous and sweating just watching Landry and Tyra in their respective conversations with the Dillon policeman.

ClearEyes: Coach Mac's advice. I can't ever look at a zone blitz the same again.

Saracen7: While no one wants Mac talking about getting "back in the saddle," I think most people would take it in a second over crossing Landry's pop.

2. Does the Panthers' dramatic win signal a return to Dillon's winning ways, or was it merely a lucky break in a tumultuous season?

Saracen7: Thanks in no small part to Landry, stars Matt and Smash are focused now on the task at hand: a drive for back-to-back state titles. I think they'll do it.

ClearEyes: While the win may have hinged on a controversial pass interference call and a lucky break on a fumble, the newfound cohesiveness of the team can only lead to more Panther Ws in the future.

pantherpride4lyfe: Good question. Their 2-1 record is a bit misleading, as the Panthers have looked sub-par in each of their three contests to date. Of course, a few 200-yard games from Smash Williams could change that in a hurry.

3. Bigger miracle: Street making it to the beach after throwing himself off the boat, or Lyla and Tim showing up in the truck immediately after?

ClearEyes: Street. The guy has no feeling in his legs! Talk about shoulder strength.

pantherpride4lyfe: Jason's swim to safety. His sudden moment of clarity surely gave him an adrenaline boost, but still. That's some upper body workout.

Saracen7: Tim and Lyla appearing out of nowhere. Even if the booze cruise was just about to return to shore and they parked right at the dock, that was fast!

4. Where will Landry's motivational, tear-inducing halftime speech go down in the annals of poignant moments from sports movies / TV?

pantherpride4lyfe: It's top five for certain. Jesse Plemons is terrific in giving Landry such awkwardness, sincerity and heart. Only a few sports scenes - such as Ray and his dad playing catch in Field of Dreams or Rudy's groundskeeper friend telling him he's already a winner on and off the field - can compare.

Saracen7: The Gettysburg Address, it wasn't. But Landry Clarke's appeal to his embattled teammates to man up was enough to bring a tear to this fan's eye.

ClearEyes: If Jimmy Chitwood never told coach, "I'll make it," before nailing the game-winner in Hoosiers, Landry would be competing with Rudy for the top spot.

5. How hot / strange was the scene at the Mexican cantina at the end?

pantherpride4lyfe: Such mystery and intrigue with the two best friends who've been through it all and Lyla, who finds herself torn in different directions. If you missed it, you have to watch the video of this... great soundtrack, too.

Saracen7: I swear, only Friday Night Lights would attempt - and be able to pull off - a scene like that. No words were exchanged, but volumes are spoken.

ClearEyes: The only thing that would have made it stranger would be if John Mayer had come in and bashed Riggins and Street over the head with a guitar.

By the standards of a show justifiably called the best on TV, episode #4, "Let's Get It On," had all the complexity of a light-beer commercial.

For starters, Tim and Jason's trip to Mexico in search of booze (the former) and working legs (the latter) has finally come to an end, and nobody died or disgraced themselves in a way they can't recover from. But they came damn close.

Tim Riggins, in his unparalleled and infinite wisdom, chose a "booze cruise" as the location during which to tell Jason Street, with Lyla Garrity standing by to furrow her gorgeous brow at key moments, that he shouldn't have the surgery because it isn't going to work and he could quite possibly wind up dead.

After a dramatic and unsuccessful confrontation, Riggins and Lyla leave Six to stew in his own anger, and what does he do? Tips himself overboard.

Of course Jason realizes the true value of life as he's sucking down sea water, and of course, as the indie-rock ballad hits epic violin mode, he fights his way to the surface and of course, he's going to spy a beach in the near distance, and of course, a wave comes along and propel him toward the sand. Hallelujah!

Moments later, Riggins and Lyla drive up in a truck — weren't they just on a boat? — and it is confirmed: Jason Street now wants to live. Plus, he's sorry for being a jerk. Now... anyone up for a drink? At the end of the episode, the three amigos are all tipsy and making out with one another. Well, not the boys. You get the idea. Lyla, unable to shake the label of the most boring character on Friday Night Lights, breaks the smokin' hot mood by saying, "I gotta go pray."

We kid you not. Okay, that was the worst of it, and we admit that we very much enjoyed it, the extreme cheese factor notwithstanding.

Continue reading this review of "Let's Get It On" by New York Magazine ...

Welcome to the Insider's Friday Night Lights Caption Contest. Let's take a look at who won this edition before moving on to an all-new contest this week.

We received a number of good responses this week, but we have to go with Lisa as the winner. Congratulations! The winning reply now appears under the photo below. Scroll down the page to read the full list of captions we were sent.

Thank you for playing and for making Friday Night Lights Insider the #1 Friday Night Lights fan site online. We hope that you enjoy and visit often!

This week's Friday Night Lights Caption Contest image:

"Honestly Coach, it wasn't a skunk! I can shower again, but it's my natural odor."

Near the end of "Let's Get It On," Lyla, Tim and Jason sway slowly to music in Mexico, and it's clear there are powerful feelings lingering between all three. One of the strangest, hottest Friday Night Lights scenes of all time. So much mystery. The song playing in the background is "If I Could" by Blue Merle.

What an episode! The Friday Night Lights Insider staff has compiled its guide to this past Friday's "Let's Get It On," giving you the rundown on all the action. Be sure to take a look at our photo gallery from the episode and share your thoughts on the characters and stories with fellow Friday Night Lights fans in our forum!

We're working on lists of Friday Night Lights quotes and music from "Let's Get It On," and will have our staff's Round Table discussion as well as a new Caption Contest posted early in the week. Thanks for visiting our site, and enjoy!

Scott Porter portrays the former star quarterback of the Dillon Panthers on the hit show Friday Night Lights. Scott Porter recently spoke to our friends at BuddyTV about what it's like to play the partially paralyzed star ...

Question: So first, why don't you start by describing your character?
Scott Porter: Jason Street was the local hero. He was a good quarterback. A good student. He came from a great family. He was gonna go to college at Notre Dame and eventually become pro. Then tragedy struck at the end of the pilot and he broke his neck and is now in a wheelchair. In the first season, he kind of deals with everybody coming to grips with his injury before he deals with it himself. He's a strong kid. He's been through more than any kid I know and he always comes out with his head up high. At the end of last season, he went back to the team as a coach and in the first episodes of this season you kind of see that deteriorate, and he starts to deal with the issue of whether or not he wants to walk again, and if it's even possible.

Question: Right. He's going through a lot of really big stuff like in the last episode ("Backfire") when he decided to go to Mexico ...
Scott Porter: He heard about stem cell research. You know, there are these surgeries where they actually inject stem-cells of other animals or human embryos into your back to hopefully get it to re-attach to your spine and heal you. And he kind of sees that as maybe a pipe dream. So he decides to quit the team and do this trip. And Tim Riggins, his loyal, irresponsible friend Riggins, decides he wants to come along for the ride and Jason can't really say no.

Question: Do you identify with your character?
Scott Porter: I do, in different ways than I think people expect. First of all, you don't see Jason's parents as much as I would like you to. That being said, he did come from a very strong family and so did I. I have an amazing family. And to come from there and to kind of have that background really played into who Jason Street was. I'd like to say I'm as strong-willed as Jason, but he's been through so much ... he's definitely head and shoulders above me.

Question: Is there any chance that Jason and Lyla Garrity are going to get back together? Or will there be a new love interest?
Scott Porter: I think Jason and Lyla have a love for each other that extends beyond just a relationship. I think they have a really true affection for each other and right now it's just a friendship. I don't know if we'll see them back together. There's always that opportunity. They're always going to be there for each other. But you will see Jason kind of moving on later in the season.

Follow the link to continue reading BuddyTV's Scott Porter interview ...

This week's episode of Friday Night Lights - picking up where "Backfire" left off - is shaping up to be a good one. Eric is back in Dillon and ready to straighten the team out. Can Lyla do the same for Tim and Jason in Mexico? We'll have to see.

You can discuss "Let's Get It On" with Friday Night Lights fans before and after the show in our FORUM. It's easy and free. Share your thoughts on the Dillon Panthers players, love stories and whatever strikes you. Be heard and enjoy!

After the show, Friday Night Lights Insider will post its official episode recap of the night's drama. We'll also compile a photo gallery, list of quotes and more. Help us out if you can! Thanks for making us the #1 Friday Night Lights fan site online.

It's common knowledge that branded entertainment is becoming popular on TV as marketers — worried about how easy it is to avoid commercials -­ arrange for their products to be woven into the plots of shows, reports the New York Times.

Allstate Insurance tried a different angle last Friday, as you might have noticed if you watched Friday Night Lights. You may call it cause-related entertainment, integrating an issue into an episode of a scripted television series.

A plot line in "Backfire," last week's episode of Friday Night Lights, was focused on encouraging teens to drive safely. Allstate has been promoting the cause for months, in traditional advertising efforts like TV commercials and PSAs.

Last Friday, Friday Night Lights viewers did not see a poster about safe driving bearing an Allstate logo on a wall, or an actor playing a local Allstate agent reassuring teenagers that they're "in good hands."

Instead, the issue was brought up through "Backfire" scenes in which a principal cast member, Julie Taylor (Aimee Teegarden) is being taught to drive by her dad, coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler) and her mother Tami (Connie Britton).

After the episode, there was a special Allstate commercial, created by Leo Burnett in Chicago, part of the Publicis Groupe, devoted to teenagers and safe driving. The spot introduced a section of the Allstate Web site about the issue, encouraging both teenagers and parents to sign a safe-driving "contract."

"What we are getting is real," said Lisa Cochrane, vice president for marketing at Allstate in Northbrook, Ill.

Although Allstate has had its agents appear on "It Takes a Thief" on the Discovery Channel, discussing how to thwart identity theft, "this is new" with a scripted show on a big broadcast network, Cochrane said.

Chuck Blomberg, V.P. for central sales at NBC Universal, who lists Allstate among his clients, said the issue "fits really well with the sensibility of Friday Night Lights," a drama in its second season about a Texas high school football team.

The writers of the acclaimed NBC series were asked "not to include Allstate as a brand," Mr. Blomberg said, "but to look at the topic of safe teen driving as something to focus on" and then "weave it into the episode."

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