High School Football Game
Austin and Mitch take a field trip to a local high school football game.
Dec 14, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Devil Town
A Thematic Exploration of Friday Night Lights
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Episodes
Funding
When East Dillon opens in season 4, there is a giant funding gap between the new school and Dillon. How realistic is this? We look at how schools are funded in Texas, how football is funded compared to other extracurriculars, and the extravagance of 6A stadiums. Plus, an update on the NFL's race norming situation, and some non-FNL recommendations. Links: National Center for Education Statistics - information on how schools are funded by state Ector County Budget Houston Chronicle - Cost of Katy ...
Nov 08, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Accents
Mitch takes Austin on a deep dive into the West Texas Accent. They discuss what makes Texans sound distinct, some idioms and unique phrases, and analyze dialogue from the show.
Oct 10, 2021•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 33
The Movie
Austin and Mitch discuss the 2004 movie Friday Night Lights. They look at differences between the book and movie, and similarities with the show. Austin explains some technical football stuff, Mitch challenges him to identify movie half-time speeches, and explain why this is the best football movie. email us at deviltownpodcast@gmail.com follow us on Twitter @deviltownpod, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleats
Aug 29, 2021•55 min•Season 1Ep. 32
One Year!
It's Devil Town's first birthday! Mitch and Austin revisit old topics. There are updates on murderball, UCO Cheer, realignment, and we play a game based on a very dated meme. Links: Football, Etc. Origami Angel Kenny Hoopla Señor Bikini & Aknes Astrophysics - Never Meant...
Aug 22, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Realignment and NIL
Austin explains the current college football situation with OU, Texas, the Big 12, and the SEC. Even after recording and editing, I (Mitch) don't understand it well enough to summarize. Austin also explains the changes to the NCAA's power over players' name, image, and likeness. email us at deviltownpodcast@gmail.com follow up on Twitter @deviltownpod, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleats
Aug 01, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Pride, Representation, and Queer Athletes
It's the last day of Pride Month! We're talking about LGBTQ+ representation in Friday Night Lights and TV in general. Plus, Carl Nassib and what it means for a professional athlete to come out of the closet. Links: Queer Eyes, Full Hearts, from the blog DietCoke4Breakfast Dave Kopay's Long Wait by David Kamp OutSports article on the 16 out retired NFL players OutSports article on Carl Nassib and interview with Dave Kopay Email us at DevilTownPodcast@gmail.com...
Jun 30, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Abortion
In this episode, Mitch and Austin discuss Becky's abortion storyline in season four. Mitch gives some context for Tami's part of the story, looking at the rules and expectations for a school counselor in Texas. Then they look at some recent developments in the fight against abortion access in Texas, Oklahoma, and nationwide. There are many people and organizations doing the vital and difficult work of maintaining abortion access. Please consider donating to one of these organizations, or find an...
Jun 20, 2021•59 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Race Norming
Austin explains the NFL's policy of race norming when deciding payouts for players affected by CTE. He explains the history of the Heaton norms used by the NFL, the court case that regulates payouts, and what that means for players and their families. AP New article Follow us on twitter @deviltownpod, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleats Email us at deviltownpodcast@gmail.com...
Jun 14, 2021•23 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Actors
Austin and Mitch reveal their Top Ten Performances by Friday Night Lights Actors in Non-Friday Night Lights Properties. They also play a round of Two Truths and a Lie: IMDb Edition Email us at DevilTownPodcast@gmail.com Find us on twitter @deviltownpod, @organzapleats, and @a_greenameyer
May 27, 2021•54 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Quarterbacks and Schemes
Austin explains the offensive and defensive schemes we see in Friday Night Lights. We discuss the playing styles of each of the quarterbacks, evaluate Eric Taylor as a coach, and learn a little football history. Links: An X's and O's Breakdown of Friday Night Lights by Steven Ruiz
May 02, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 25
The Lawsuit
Does Jason Street have a negligence case against Eric Taylor? In season one, the Streets sue Coach and get a settlement. In reality, the state of Texas treats lawsuits like these very differently. We look at similar cases, the history of sovereign immunity, how laws vary by state, and a coach's burden of care. Links: Overview of the Oklahoma Tort Claims Act Texas Public School Qualified Immunity from Houston Press In School Sports, Hundreds of Concussions but Few Athletic Trainers to Prevent The...
Apr 25, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Valdosta
Austin walks us through the saga of of a football scandal from Valdosta, Georgia. It involves boosters wearing wires, grown men with nicknames, major college programs, and secret families. Links: Lawsuits, secret taping and the unraveling of a powerhouse high school football program, Mark Schlabach at ESPN.com
Apr 18, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Current Events
These episodes are the closest to news Devil Town will ever get. In part one, we highlight three local (to us) stories relevant to topics we've discussed on the podcast: the suspension of the UCO Cheer team, the racism from fans and ensuing fight at the John Marshall vs. Newcastle boys' basketball game, and the racist commentator for the Norman vs. Midwest City girls' basketball game. All three stories have details you might not have heard about if you only read the headlines. And the conversati...
Apr 05, 2021•53 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Music
We're finally talking about music. When we first started talking about this podcast, music was the first idea we had, but it's such a daunting topic. There's so much to talk about and we don't get to everything, but we do discuss: Music Supervisor Liza Richardson and the process of making a show like Friday Night Lights Explosions in the Sky Crucifictorious What is on Matt and Julie's burned CDs? What we'd choose if the show was remade in 2021 Other shows with great music supervision LINKS: AVCl...
Mar 28, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Jobs
In this episode, we discuss the working lives of the Dillon teens. For a show about football, we spend a lot of time with these characters at their various jobs. We talk about our own experiences, look at some recent data, and speculate about some of the things the show doesn't tell us. Plus, a very special, first ever installment of Football Expert Mitch Explains Things to Football Idiot Austin Links: Child Labor Regulations in Texas Bureau of Labor Statistics Youth Employment Summary Bureau of...
Feb 28, 2021•59 min•Season 1Ep. 20
The Big Game
Austin and Mitch discuss the Superbowl. (Are we allowed to put Suberbowl in the episode title? Would the NFL send us a cease and desist?) Statistically, how likely is it for a high school football player to make it to the Superbowl? What were today's NFL stars like as high school players? What is Eric Taylor doing in season three, episode ten when he appeals the refs for an upcoming game? What is the best Portuguese movie allegorizing the life of St. Anthony? Old Gods of Appalachia The Ornitholo...
Feb 15, 2021•58 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Hazing
Austin and Mitch discuss the season three episode It Ain't Easy Being J.D. McCoy in the context of hazing.
Feb 07, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Steroids
Austin and Mitch discuss the Season 1 arc where Smash tries steroids. They look at the science behind how they work, some of the risks involved, and their prevalence among high school athletes. Plus an in depth analysis of the Season 3 JD/Matt QB fiasco. Sources: ANABOLIC-ANDROGENIC STEROIDS: Mechanism of Action and Effects on Performance FDA Advisement on Teen Steroid Use Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Use and Abuse in Pediatric Patients National Institute of Health...
Jan 25, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Safety
Austin and Mitch discuss the Disney+ movie Safety. It's the true story of Ray McElrathbey, a student athlete at Clemson who took care of his younger brother while playing football. We discuss the odd style of the filmmaking, and compare the movie to the real life story. Links: Trailer Safety actors vs. their real life counterparts Esquire interview with Ray McElrathbey...
Jan 04, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 16
The Cost of Winning
Austin and Mitch discuss the HBO documentary series The Cost of Winning. In four parts over two hours, it shows an unusual football season at St. Francis Academy in Baltimore. This tiny private school in one of the most disadvantaged neighborhoods in the country has become one of the best high school football programs in the country, and it's players have remarkably high rates of college acceptance and scholarships. The coach, Biff Poggi, is independently wealthy, and he has invested a lot of mo...
Jan 03, 2021•39 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Varsity and the Cheerleading Monopoly
In this episode, Mitch and Austin take a close look at Varsity Brands, the company that has a stranglehold monopoly over competitive cheerleading. SOURCES: Washington Post article on the American Academy of Pediatrics' findings on catastrophic injuries Houston Press article on Varsity Matt Stoller's article on monopolies Matt Stoller update Slate article on businesses operating outside of Varsity The Cheer Buzz overview on Varisty Fusion Elite All Stars, et al. v. Varsity Brands, LLC, et al. Tak...
Dec 13, 2020•45 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Cheerleading
This week we discuss cheerleading, in Friday Night Lights, pop culture, and in real high schools. We talk about why it isn't always considered a sport, and why it should be. (Next week's episode will be a deep dive into Varsity, the company behind that decision) Plus, the first installment of a new segment! We do a very manic, very stupid Pop Culture Cheer Squad Fantasy Draft.
Dec 07, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Recruiting
Austin and Mitch discuss all the way our current situation is affecting the process of college recruiting. They discuss Smash trying to work his way onto a team in season three, other times in history that changed the way football was played, and how teams and players are handling COVID. Follow us on twitter @deviltownpod, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleats Email us at deviltownpodcast@gmail.com Find transcripts and show notes at deviltown.buzzsprout.com Sources: When Football Went to War...
Nov 30, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Dementia and ACL Injuries
Austin and Mitch discuss the season three arcs of Smash and Saracen's Grandma, which means deep dives into dementia and ACL injuries. Plus a very stupid edition of Football Expert Austin. Follow us on twitter @deviltownpod, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleats Email us at deviltownpodcast@gmail.com Find transcripts, sources, and links at deviltown.buzzsprout.com Links: A Multisport Epidemiological Comparison of ACL Injuries in High School Athletes A History of the Wig Reveal on RuPaul's Drag Race ...
Nov 23, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Prayer in the Locker Room
In this episode, Mitch and Austin go deep on the legal ramifications of prayer in the locker room. Plus discussions about Brockmire and Jon Bois's 20020. Follow us on twitter @deviltownpod, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleats Email us at deviltownpodcast@gmail.com Find transcripts and notes at deviltown.buzzsprout.com SOURCES: Jane Doe v. Duncanville Independent School District - Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe Borden v. School District of Township of Ea...
Nov 16, 2020•56 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Church
Austin and Mitch talk about religion in Dillon. They try to figure out the denominations of the show's churches, discuss Lyla and Tim's radio shows, and play Two Truths and a Lie: Texas Headlines. Follow us on twitter @deviltownpod, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleats Email us at deviltownpodcast@gmail.com Find transcripts and notes at deviltown.buzzsprout.com
Nov 09, 2020•59 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Election Special
Austin and Mitch talk all things politics the night before the 2020 election.
Nov 04, 2020•56 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Dillon
We're back from an unplanned hiatus, talking about the town of Dillon, Texas. There's a lot to love, and almost as much to hate, about small town suburbia. Links: The Architecture of Dillon, Texas by Brantley Hightower Pecos Hank's stormchaser Youtube channel Stephen Cone's movies on the Criterion Channel Email us at deviltownpodcast@gmail.com Follow us @deviltownpod, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleats...
Oct 03, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Murderball
Austin and Mitch discuss the 2005 documentary Murderball, the sport of Quad Rugby, and the Paralympics. Mitch asks Austin to explain some very basic but confusing football nonsense. Find notes and links at deviltown.buzzsprout.com Follow us on twitter @deviltownpod, @a_greenameyer, and @organzapleats Email us at deviltownpodcast@gmail.com
Sep 07, 2020•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 6
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