Zach Gilford, who stars as Matt Saracen on NBC's Friday Night Lights, spoke to Variety as part of the publication's "Pushy Questions" feature. Here's a look at what's on the mind - and reading list, and more - of Zach Gilford.

Last book I bought:
"God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything" by Christopher Hitchens

Book I'm reading:
"What Is the What" by Dave Eggers

Total number of books I own:
Over a hundred, I have no clue.

Three books that mean a lot to me:
"The Brothers Karamazov" by Fyodor Dostoevsky
"Our America" by LeAlan Jones and Lloyd Newman with David Isay
"Seven Years in Tibet" by Heinrich Harrer

Last film I saw:
"King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters," directed by Seth Gordon

Three films that mean a lot to me:
"Braveheart," directed by Mel Gibson
"Glory," directed by Edward Zwick
"Trainspotting," directed by Danny Boyle

Last CD I bought:
"Finding Forever," Common

Song currently playing in iPod:
"Idioteque," Radiohead

Three songs that mean a lot to me:
"Poor Places," Wilco
"Heartbeats," Jose Gonzales
"The Final Countdown," Europe

Favorite Drink:
Guinness or water (straight from the tap)

Favorite Charity:
The Democratic Party

Favorite Vacation:
Any mountains in Alaska

Favorite Vice:
I'm cunning

Five people whom I'd like to see answer this survey:
Mos Def, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Professor Seaskin (my college philosophy professor), my dad

Adrianne Palicki already had a pretty nice resume - the original Kara on Smallville back in 2004, Sam's ill-fated girlfriend on Supernatural, a gig on South Beach and a guest shot on CSI. But then she landed the role of sweet, but troubled bad girl Tyra Collette on the acclaimed Friday Night Lights.

Below, Adrianne Palicki gives iF Magazine a look at what's new in Dillon, Texas, including Tyra's part in covering up the murder of her stalker...

iF: What are the changes for your character on Friday Night Lights this year?

Adrianne Palicki: I think everything, all the characters, have evolved. Everything started out in a very black and white area and it's continuing to get more and more gray. It's just so exciting to watch, because nothing is what it seems on our show and Tyra is one of those characters that has completely evolved and come full circle.

iF: When you were cast the show, did you think, "This could be a phenomenon?"

Adrianne Palicki: Well, on paper, it wasn't necessarily the most amazing script I'd ever read, but watching the Pilot, every single one of us was just blown away watching it and it was just the most amazing thing we'd ever seen.

iF: Has being in Friday Night Lights increased your interest in/awareness of football, the people who support football?

Adrianne Palicki: I'm from Ohio and I grew up loving football, so that's always been a part of my life.

iF: Tyra gets involved in a very deep problem this season. Did the producers discuss this with you and say, ‘What do you think about this?'

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The Friday Night Lights Insider staff has compiled its official episode guide to this past Friday's "Backfire." Follow the link to relive or catch up on the action, and be sure to take a look at our photo gallery from the episode as well. If you like, you can also feel free to discuss "Backfire" with fellow fans in our forum!

We'll be working on pulling together a list of memorable quotes and music from the night's episode, and will have our staff's Round Table discussion as well as a new Caption Contest posted early in the week. Thanks for visiting, and enjoy!

This week's episode of Friday Night Lights - the fourth of the sophomore season - promises drama and excitement. Our favorite characters will be pulled in many different directions in "Backfire" and it will be interesting to see them respond.

You can discuss it with fellow Friday Night Lights fans before and after the show in our exclusive FORUM. Share your thoughts on the team, the players, the love stories and whatever else that strikes you. Be heard, and most of all, enjoy!

Jason Street is determined to explore all options regarding his condition.

After the show, Friday Night Lights Insider will post its official guide recapping the night's drama. We'll also compile a photo gallery, list of memorable quotes and more. Help us out if you want! As the #1 Friday Night Lights fan site online, we strive to make your experience as comprehensive and fun as possible!

It's a little belated, but we've gotten ahold of still shots from last week's "Are You Ready For Friday Night?" and put them in our photo gallery. Follow the link to view more, and sort through other Friday Night Lights pictures, sortable by cast member, character and episode. We've included a few from last Friday below...

Tim finds salvation in church... at least momentarily ...

Jason bristles at being called the team mascot ...

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Taylor Kitsch, who plays bad boy Tim Riggins on Friday Night Lights, spoke to BuddyTV about the new developments with his character. Excerpts below...

BuddyTV: First, why don't you start by telling us about your character?

Taylor Kitsch: Oh, where do I start, that's the thing. He's this kid who deals with alcoholism. There's lack of a family. His brother has kind of turned his back on him this season. He's just a kid that's been jaded and he's lacking a sense of purpose. All these things that have happened in his life have kind of impeded the growth or his decision making. And the repercussions, he's still just not understanding them. So, it's a really fun character.

BuddyTV: Right. So you know he is kind of the "bad boy" on the show. Are we going to get to see him grow up and mature a little this season?

Taylor Kitsch: Absolutely. I think even in episodes three to seven, Tim Riggins goes to Mexico with Jason Street and he's just trying to do the right thing, you know? And again, he's learning probably slower than normal just because of the trust factor and everything that impedes it. But slowly but surely, he's trying.

BuddyTV: Let's talk about the show in general. It almost didn't get a 2nd season and so once it was renewed, did the writers and producers decide to change the tone to attract more viewers?

Taylor Kitsch: I don't know. I think we all kind of stuck to our guns. If anything, we're more intense and we can do darker stuff because we are on Friday nights. So I think it's evolved for the better. The stories are great, and soon they're going to intertwine, which in my opinion is the best part of this show.

BuddyTV: One of the notable storylines is Landry and Tyra's that we saw at the beginning of the year. Do you think the writers are being true to the characters?

Taylor Kitsch: Absolutely. I was talking to Jesse Plemons who plays Landry, because everyone one was like, "Man, does this actually happen?" It happened weeks before they actually shot it. So we're staying very true to these characters and I'm sure they'll tell you the same. Even the things that are happening with Riggs and his family and everything else ... it happens, you know? And I think that's why people can connect so closely with these characters.

Follow the link to continue reading Taylor's interview ...

It wasn't the lights of Friday night, but the sun of Saturday afternoon.

Scott Porter, who plays former quarterback Jason Street on the NBC football drama Friday Night Lights, wore a Maurice Purify jersey to last Saturday's Nebraska game against Texas A&M.

The young actor took a break from his Friday Night Lights filming schedule to take in agame with his family.

"I'm going to make it a yearly journey," Scott Porter said.

Scott Porter managed to squeeze in the weekend match while filming the 12th episode of 22 installments for Friday Night Lights' second season.

The first and last time he had the chance to watch a Nebraska game was last year, when the Huskers went up against Missouri.

The 28-year-old Porter was born in Omaha and has been a Nebraska fan since his childhood. He says he became a fan of the Huskers' wide receiver, Maurice Purify, after the Texas-Nebraska game last year, which he saw in a bar in Austin. Porter remembers how Purify broke away for a long TD in that game.

Porter himself was a wide receiver in high school, so playing an athlete on Friday Night Lights comes quite naturally to him.

Friday Night Lights continues to suffer tough ratings, even as stars like Porter maintain their pride for it, while recognizing its limitations.

"I don't think it's a show that will follow kids to college," he said. "I don't think it's a [Beverly Hills] 90210. We're just a genuine, honest show. It's about the town of Dillon, and I think once people leave Dillon, you're not going to follow them for an extended length of time."

Still, for now, Scott Porter is ready to milk the experience of starring on Friday Night Lights for all it's worth.

"I'll take it as long as I can get it," Porter said of portraying 17-year old Jason Street on the program. "As long as I can play young, I will."

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

The Round Table discussion topics for "Are You Ready For Friday Night?" include Riggins' world of problems, Coach's return and Street's future ...

1. Worst player of the night: Saracen (rough game, costly INT in 4th quarter) or Riggins (lost MILF neighbor to older brother, failed smooch of Lyla)?

pantherpride4lyfe: Riggins. This was a tough stretch for the troubled fullback, although a three-way with some rally girls is never far away if he needs it.

ClearEyes: Matt Saracen, but not for his in-game performance. You can't tackle a teammate on the field, in front of fans, after a victory. Even Terrell Owens would agree that's just poor form.

Saracen7: Much as it pains me, I've gotta take Matty. His head was just not in the game against the Rattlers, and his outburst against Smash - annoying as he was being - can't be justified. These two have to get their acts together quick... if not for the Panthers, for the good of the Tasty Freeze work environment.

2. Is Tim actually converted, or just trying to get Lyla into bed?

Saracen7: This scene was one of my favorites. Was it just a line, as she says? Or was a lost Tim just grasping for any sense of belonging? Who knows. He leaves you wondering as he puts the move on Lyla. I'm really interested to see how this plays out... the more I see these two interact, the more I like Tyla.

ClearEyes: The latter. I don't believe Tim is thinking, "Oh, God, He helps me through difficult times." He just wants to be screaming, "Ohhhhh, God!"

pantherpride4lyfe: Not sure about converted, but I think he meant what he said to Lyla about feeling like he was a part of something, a part of her. In Tim Riggins fashion, though, he predictably blew it with that advance. Sigh.

3. More likely to happen in Mexico: Street undergoes successful surgery, or Riggins tries to procure underage girls?

ClearEyes: Street's surgery will be a success, but not because it will put the former football standout back on two feet. Instead, the surgery's failure will help Jason accept his new, wheelchair-bound lot in life. Only then can he begin the true healing process.

pantherpride4lyfe: Not that I expect either to happen, but I'm taking Riggins here. Experimental stem cell surgery in Mexico? That's not sketchy at all. Also sketchy at times? Tim Riggins. Do you trust this guy south of the border?

Saracen7: Here's hoping Jason Street gets a break, although I fear he will just encounter danger and disappointment. Either way, I hope this young assistant returns to the sidelines pronto. He's getting a raw deal from the new coach!

4. The writing's on the wall: Eric will be back in Dillon soon. How will he be reinstalled as Head Coach of the Panthers?

pantherpride4lyfe: His generally sadistic nature and obsession with torturing Riggins have drawn the ire of many fans - including Buddy Garrity - already. One slip up at a key moment will get this unpopular taskmaster the axe.

Saracen7: Well it probably won't be the Panthers' failures on the field. The new coach actually made a nice call with a direct snap to Smash to salvage the 7-0 win opening night (another very believable final score and sequence). But with the Tennessee Tyrant, you have to think his temper will be his undoing.

ClearEyes: Buddy Garrity is a man with connections. One call to The Haitian from Heroes, one town meeting between him and the good people of Dillon and no one will even remember Coach Taylor left in the first place.

Welcome to the Friday Night Lights Caption Contest, a Monday tradition. Let's take a look at who emerged victorious in this third edition of the contest.

We received a number of quality replies, but Moe stands out to the Insider staff as the winner this week. Congrats! You can see the winning reply beneath the photo below, and then scroll down the page to read all the captions submitted. Thanks to all for playing and good luck again in the new edition of the contest.

Good luck to all, and thanks to all of you for making Friday Night Lights Insider the #1 Friday Night Lights site online. We hope you enjoy and visit us often!

This week's Caption Contest image:

Tim: "This isn't Prison Break, Buddy. Stop sweating so much."

TV's best series is all about America's favorite contact sport. While on the surface, Friday Night Lights seems focused firmly on football, it's really all about heart. In his role as Dillon Panthers Coach Eric Taylor, Kyle Chandler is the rallying point for the show's ensemble and its dramatic charge downfield.

Here are portion's of Kyle Chandler's recent interview with Hollywood.com...

Hollywood.com: Have you ever seen a better marriage on television or real life as good as the one on your show?

Kyle Chandler: Mine's a lot better than this one, I guarantee that. It's just fun. It's fun working with Connie Britton. Whenever we're on the set together, we have a good time. She's one of those people, we just get together good. We have the same technique on how you go about working. I've been married for 11 years, so I think a lot of what I bring to this thing is I steal from my own. I'm sort of doing a little bit of what I know. It's fun like that because I haven't had a role where I've played anyone where I've had a wife and kids and this and that. I've been married for 11 years and I've got two kids. I know how to be frustrated with a woman. I'm good at that. So it's fun to play all that stuff.

Hollywood.com: Do actors and coaches fight over the same things in marriage?

Kyle Chandler: Yeah, we have the issues that they write for us basically. We use different tools to get out of them. That's another thing, Connie Britton and I always look at the material. We're always constantly looking for something new. It's sort of a contact sport on our set, because everyone's trying to outdo the next person. It's really enjoyable. It's a fun atmosphere.

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