A brief note on Friday Night Lights from TV Guide's Matt Roush in his weekly Q&A today ...

Q: I was just curious if you have any thoughts on the third season of Friday Night Lights. Normally you have lots to say about this fantastic show, but I'm guessing you're waiting until the current third season airs on NBC to weigh in. The November 19 "New York, New York" episode, though, was particularly great in my opinion. Without giving anything away, the awesomeness included: the after-dinner football at the Taylor house, Coach's final decision on the new house followed by Tami's reaction, Tim's enthusiasm for Broadway and Scott Porter's performance on the doorstep. Would you agree Friday Night Lights has regained whatever it may have lost in Season Two?

A: I've made note several times lately how impressed I have been by this third season, but this particular episode blew me away. (Actually, it blew my box of tissues away. I lost it several times during the episode.) The scenes between the Coach and Matt Saracen, resolving his awkward position on the team; the Coach and his wife, confronting a real-estate opportunity that made no economic sense; and especially between Jason Street and Tim Riggins, as these best buds visit the Big Apple (with a pit stop at Gypsy?)... really, it was all so memorable and moving, so entertaining and ennobling.

Mark your calendars, Dillon Panthers fans.

NBC has, at long last, announced the network premiere date for Season 3 of Friday Night Lights! It all begins Friday, January 16 at 9 p.m.

New episodes of this critically acclaimed fan favorite have been airing on DirecTV's 101 Network on Wednesdays, and those of us who've seen them can assure you Season Three of Friday Night Lights is definitely worth the wait.

Just to sweeten this good news a little more, here's Taylor Kitsch (Tim Riggins) on the FNL set in Austin, Texas, talking about going shirtless...

In tonight's all new episode of Friday Night Lights, "New York, New York," Jason's plan to leave Dillon worries Tim. Tami and Eric butt heads over financial matters. Julie lauds Matt's idea to her dad and Tyra turns to Cash in a difficult time.

This is also it for Scott Porter, reportedly, after two and a half seasons as the great Jason Street. Hopefully his departure will be as awesome as Smash's.

Either way, you can always discuss each episode, and all things Friday Night Lights, with other fans of the show in our official Friday Night Lights forum!

Here's a little Friday Night Lights spoiler / news item from Michael Ausiello's column at Entertainment Weekly today, re: tonight's episode ...

Q: I've noticed that Jeffrey Reiner hasn't directed many episodes of Friday Night Lights this season. He's such a great talent. Do you know what happened?

A: No clue, but he directed Scott Porter's swan song tonight, and guess what? It's a work of freakin' art! One scene in particular, involving Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton, deserves to be played on an endless loop at the Museum of Television and Radio. Definitely one of my favorite Coach and Tami moments to date. Friday Night Lights spoiler-wise, someone suffers a heart attack, Tyra makes what could be the biggest mistake of her life (and that's saying something considering the mess last year), and Matt comes up with a surprising solution to his QB problem.

On tonight's episode of Friday Night Lights, entitled "Keeping Up Appearances," Eric and Tami do their best to calm Jamarca's angry parents.

Elsewhere, Matt plans a surprise for Julie. Billy helps Tim pursue a scholarship. Jason, Herc and the Riggins brothers all receive good news.

As always, you can discuss the episode, as well as all things Friday Night Lights, with other fans in our exclusive Friday Night Lights forum!

A couple of interesting tidbits from Entertainment Weekly's spoiler Q&A ...

Q: How is Friday Night Lights doing ratings-wise on DirecTV?

A: I'm too lazy to research it, so let's go with "spectacular" and "record-breaking" and move on to the real reason you're here - Friday Night Lights spoilers. Someone's gay, and he or she is coming out in tonight's episode.

Q: When will Tami find out that Matt and Julie had sex on Friday Night Lights?

A: Not tonight, since Matt and Julie are MIA throughout the entire episode. The big news (aside from the coming out I teased above) is the sudden and dramatic turn Jason's life takes as a result of a chance encounter at a Panthers game. Not so coincidentally, Scott Porter makes his final appearance next week.

A little Friday Night Lights spoiler / news item from E! Online's Q&A this morning ...

Q: Poor Landry getting dumped on Friday Night Lights... Is there any hope for him?

A: Yes there is! He'll have a new girlfriend this week, or so he tells Tyra (Adrianne Palicki). In other Friday Night Lights news, one of the Panthers never told his parents he was on the team, and he's yanked off the field just before the big game. As for the newest football hero, J.D. McCoy (Jeremy Sumpter), poor guy's overzealous daddy continues to not understand the distinction between coach and father. Can Coach's patience with that guy run out? Please? I want to see him give Mr. McCoy what for!

On tonight's episode of Friday Night Lights, Matt and Julie rekindle some of their past romance, while J.D.'s star continues to rise in Dillon.

Elsewhere, Riggins ends up in hot water (shocking!) as a result of freshman hazing, while Tyra learns a shocking secret about beau Cash.

As always, you can discuss the episode, as well as all things Friday Night Lights, with other fans in our exclusive Friday Night Lights forum!

On tonight's episode of Friday Night Lights, "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," Matt Saracen battles his emotions (both in regards to his mother and the attention paid to J.D.), while Tyra sees a new side of Cash and Jason is disappointed by Erin.

Looks like another solid episode on tap. As always, you can discuss it, as well as all things Friday Night Lights, with other fans in our Friday Night Lights forum!

Can Coach's QB-by-committee strategy possibly work out?

What about Matt's equally tenuous family situation?

Was Smash's farewell the best scene in the show's history?

Will Tyra and Cash last?

All these questions remain unanswered, but for a full recap of last night's Friday Night Lights, check out our recap of "Hello, Goodbye."