Writing this blog, I am not the happiest person. For one, the Jets suffered possibly the worst football loss i have witnessed in all my years of watching football. Okay back to the series- Playmakers is officially in the books. Looking back at the series, I realized how much I enjoyed this series. It had all the elements which makes for a good tv show. From good story lines, to convincing characters, to unexpected surprises and football action- this show had it all. I would most definitely recommend this series to people who enjoy this kind of television show. I was always curious to see where this show was taped. They always show the field and sometimes the neighborhood. I alway thought it was filmed in Montana, or in an area with lots of land. When I looked it up, it said they had filmed in Canada which surprised me. I wouldnt have thought this series was filmed outside of the US.
If this series had a second season, you can bet id drive up to Best buy and pick it up. But thats the issue, there was never a second season. I dont understand how a good show can stop dead in its tracks and not have a second season. Well, I researched it in search of reason which is what I found. Firstly, the NFL did not like how the characters on the show were portrayed, and they believed it presented a bad image to the league. Deion Sanders, a notable NFL superstar also spoke out against the show. In a way, I am torn about this decision. While there were some major issues being presented in the show, I feel that it still made for a great series. I guess they felt like it was sending a message that all the players in the NFL were involved with these issues such as domestic violence, homosexuality, drug abuse, and steroids. While I dont believe that all players are involved, I do believe that a considerable number of players have dealt with these very same issues.
I am disappointed to say the least with the cancellation the series by ESPN. There were so many questions left open at the end I almost feel like I watched this show for nothing. Some questions left open at the end of the series were- 1) Did Coach George make a recovery from prostate cancer, 2) Did Leon Taylor land his job as a news anchor or did he get asked to play again OR did he take the front office job? 3) Did Olczyk come up with a solution to the paternity problem. Will Jenna go through with the pregnancy? How did this affect his relationship with Beth? 4) Does Buffalo continue to lose weight or does he put up more weight in order to be at a proper weight for his position? 5) Does Demetrius Harris change his ways once and for all, or will he always continue to get away with everything and be an ass? 5) Does O’Connell continue to succeed with the Cougars? 7) Does Guerwitcz finally get the respect from the league and players even though he is gay? Last and finally- 8) How did everyone on the Cougars react to Phoenix winning (if they won) Do or do they not make the playoffs!?!?
The very end of the show was my favorite part. The Cougars make a run for the playoffs winning six straight games. In order to make the playoffs, they must beat this team and have Phoenix lose in the process. The Cougars win the game and celebrate in the locker room with champagne. coach george puts on the tv in the locker room to show Phoenix losing by several points. They then show Phoenix scoring and taking the lead. The locker room goes silent. All the celebrating, all the sweat and tears, the fights- for nothing. The players stair on a the tv is disbelieve, and Coach George says “Chambers, turn it off”.
This show did exceed my expectations. I am happy with my choice in picking Playmakers. Overall, I rate this episode a five out of ten and this series a four out of ten. I enjoyed watching the episodes and didnt feel like I was doing schoolwork. At the same time, this is a major, major, MAJOR let down. A show which brings up so many points and issues should tie up the loose ends. However, I bet the producers thought the show would last several seasons, which it easily could have. In the end, great show. I wish more shows were like this and showed a different side to professional sports. It seems that shows like this simply do not exist anymore, with this level of realism.
October 24, 2009 at 4:09 pm |
Nick,
One thing, Deion Sanders didn’t speak out against the show, he just spoke out agreeing with the accuracy that show portrays players’ lives. Otherwise, you give the episode a 5/10 and the whole series a 4/10, then you go on to say how great the whole show was. I’m a little confused by this. Yes, I agree that the creators intentionally left some unanswered questions to warrant a 2nd season, but do you think that the show deserves a 4/10 because it was cancelled?
Good luck writing your paper. I look forward to reading it.