'Lights' does touchdown dance at Emmys

"Apparent eyes, full hearts, can't lose" was the onscreen mantra of "Friday Evening Lights" dating back to its first season, just one that was constantly examined offscreen.In the constantly uncertain future becoming an NBC drama to its virtual abandonment by TV Academy voters (one Emmy victory within the first four years, for casting), there's always someone trying to pin a loss of profits on "Lights."Sunday within the Primetime Emmys, however, "Lights" did its touchdown dance.Capping a run that was extended three seasons just with a nearly unequalled production deal between NBC and satcaster DirecTV, "Lights" won two high-profile drama kudos, one for lead actor Kyle Chandler as Eric Taylor, another for professional producer Jason Katims' script for your series finale."Often it takes a while for now later on around," mentioned David Nevins, who was simply leader of "Lights" creating shingle Imagine Television before becoming Showtime's entertainment topper a year ago. "However couldn't become more happy -- Jason and Kyle are two of the most extremely gifted and several menschy people I've ever labored with."Though constantly identified by experts due to its nuanced, effective writing and acting, "Lights" operated up to now individually distinct this did not obtain a nom in both of people groups until 2010, following a series' second season of firstrun episodes on DirecTV. That year, Chandler and co-star Connie Britton each were attracted on, as was author Rolin Manley with an episode that labored getting a personality (Zach Gilford's Matt Saracen) going to grips while using dying of his father.Delicate handling of those serious material, without becoming maudlin, was the series' hallmark, nevertheless it was broadly perceived that for just about any series banished for the edges in the TV world, "it is really an recognition being nominated" was the completely new mantra.But quietly, the groundswell of support for "Lights" elevated. This year, not only were Chandler and Britton were nominated again, alongside Katims for writing, nevertheless the show received its first drama series nom.Even though it lost to four-peater "Mad Males" for your drama series grand prize, "Lights" required to knock-off some serious competition to win its two Emmys. All Chandler required to do was outpoll Steve Buscemi ("Boardwalk Empire"), Michael C. Hall ("Dexter"), Jon Hamm ("Mad Males"), Hugh Laurie ("House") and Timothy Olyphant ("Justified").Inside the drama writing category, the on-area rivals incorporated "Wager on Thrones," the pilot of "The Killing" and a pair of cases of "Mad Males," like the ballyhooed episode "The Suitcase" put together by showrunner Matthew Weiner.While using Emmy stage to just accept his award, the unforeseen triumph wasn't lost on Katims."For the Academy, I'll cherish this," he mentioned, before uttering again, "Apparent eyes, full hearts - can't lose." Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com