Skip to main content

Lights Out For Lights Out

DPLightsOut Why does every modern television show that I immerse myself into becomes cancelled controversially?

First, it was Friday Night Lights (Set to conclude this summer), and now it is the drama series, Lights Out.

Yours truly doesn’t have many appointment-like television besides sports and pro wrestling, but Lights Out slowly became that kind of viewing for me.

For those of you who aren’t aware, Lights Out was a drama series about a former World Champion boxer, Patrick “Lights” Leary, and his comeback to reclaim his thrown amidst various struggles financially, physically (a battle with pugilistic dementia), supporting his family, and dealing with the inner workings and underground deals that happens in the world of boxing.

Like many other boxing shows/films, Lights Out at first was compared to the ever-so-popular, Rocky Series. However, even as a fan of Rocky, Lights Out presented a product that had much more depth than Rocky ever had. Rocky, which usually presented the character of Rocky Balboa as a standup guy with an immense heart that goes through the same struggle-train-overcome scenario, the character of Lights Leary, like many characters on the show, is very deep.

Lights, the former world champion who now suffers from pugilistic dementia and is financially broke from the mismanagement of his manager/brother, looks to get back into the ring to secure the futures of his family, especially, his little girls. Along the way on his big comeback, Lights does many wrong things such as dealing with organized crimes and shelving his dignity for a big pay day. The line, “sometimes people do LIGHTS OUT: L-R: Billy Brown and Holt McCallany in LIGHTS OUT airing Tuesday, April 5 on FX. CR: Will Hart / FX.wrong things, for all the right reasons” is one that comes to mind from the series.  Especially the eyebrow raising and jaw dropping line to his wife after he defeated "Richard “Death Row” Reynolds to regain his thrown:

“Who won the fight, Theresa?”

Crazy.

The other characters are also very deep, including Lights’ wife, Theresa, his brother, Johnny, and the always entertaining crooked promoter, Barry Word. And we can’t forget the character that was around for two episodes, but ultimately grabbed viewers like no other series, in Ed Romeo.

And how about the fact that a boxing film/series that actually presents the fights in real time, and not just highlights? It’s the little things like that that set Lights Out apart.

While highly acclaimed by critics, and absolutely loved by its viewers, the series performed very low in the ratings. Another similarity to another favorite and exiting series in Friday Night Lights. Yet, shows like Jersey Shore and other junk reality, mindless drivel television remains on television. Not throwing daggers, just blogging.

Ultimately, Lights Out will be highly missed. A show that actually produced great drama, great writing, and even better acting is gone forever.

Later this year, I’ll probably be writing another post like this as we turn out the lights on Friday Nights.

And as I write this, I just saw a commercial for “Mob Wives”.

Yeah, the art of television doesn’t exist anymore.

Recently Read

Dome Pondering Move Review: Say You Will (2017)

What is it about? A recent high school graduate cares for his mother while attempting to navigate his first relationship following his father's suicide.  Who is in it? Travis Tope - Sam Nimitz Katherine Hughes - Ellie Vaughn Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert] Sam plays his song for his mom. Favorite Quote: Ellie: "I wish we could have met down the road, maybe when we were like 27." Sam: "I think we needed each other now." Review:  Say You Will was an absolutely pleasant surprise of a watch from the Amazon Prime offerings.  I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this one, but after the credits rolled, it was a movie that provided authentic characters and a great lesson on life. We don't always have to have everything figured out, and it's okay if you don't.  What makes Say You Will so beautiful is that all of the characters are carrying some inner struggle that connects them in the moment and time that helps them through whatever it is. The unlike...

TNA Slammiversary 2025 Review: "One of the best TNA shows that I've ever attended"

One of the best TNA shows that I've ever attended.  That has been the bottom line regarding my immediate my thoughts on TNA Slammiversary 2025 since it my son and I walked away from UBS Arena. I attended the - the - record-breaking show for the company this past weekend in Long Island, NY, and it brought back so many feelings that I had for this company in the past, as well as created new ones in the process.  I've been fortunate enough to attend many TNA shows throughout the company's existence, including all the turbulent years. From barns, small theaters, convention halls, and historic, but smaller, venues like the Manhattan Center, there was a very surreal aura about sitting in an area for a TNA show.  In the words of Real1 (who made an appearance on the Countdown to Slammiversary)... Well, well, well...whatta we got here!  For this long-time fan, the aura and environment were pretty cool. Being part of a record-breaking night was pretty cool. Sharing that momen...

Remembering Hulkamania

What a complicated mess this news leaves me in. Hulk Hogan. Dead. At 71. I was never a fan of Hogan (in the world of pro wrestling)…I was a Macho Man Randy Savage guy, and later on, a Bret Hart guy (and still am). But like every other wrestling fan from the ’80s through now, Hulk Hogan’s presence and legend are undeniable.  Terry Bolea transcended wrestling as Hulk Hogan and helped the art form take its first step into the mainstream of pop culture.  He later reinvented the business once again with the greatest heel turn ever at Bash at the Beach 1996. Many have changed the business once, but twice? Significantly?! Hogan’s run as Hulkamania and as Hollywood makes a case for the best to ever do it - I can't think of anyone on such a high level on both sides of the pro wrestling coin as a babyface and heel. Every pro wrestling Mount Rushmore (as dumb as these lists have become) includes Hulk Hogan, period. But Hogan is also so instrumental in my ever-evolving ability to separate...