Producer 'optimistic' about return of TV's 'Friday Night Lights'

LOS ANGELES -- "Friday Night Lights" just may score another season.

Executive producer Jason Katims said he's "incredibly optimistic" about a third season for the drama, which has been in limbo since the writers strike ended.

"There's no deal yet for the show," Katims said Wednesday at the William S. Paley Television Festival. "But we are being incredibly optimistic that's going to happen and happen soon."

Although a critical hit, ratings were low for the show, which depicts small-town Texas life where high school football is king.

When viewers last saw the Dillon Panthers, the team was gearing up for the playoffs. Because of the writers strike, which halted most TV production, seven of the 22 episodes NBC ordered for season two weren't produced.

Fans have fought to keep the show on the air, launching www.SaveFridayNightLights.tv and asking viewers to send donations to fill NBC entertainment chief Ben Silverman's mailbox with miniature plastic footballs.

"I think the answer is going to be pretty soon," Katims said. "I have a feeling we're two or three weeks away from knowing."

A spokeswoman for NBC said Thursday the network had no comment.

Katims said a third season would likely pick up after the planned events of season two. However, the series would integrate unused story lines into the new season, which he said could begin filming as soon as July.