Friday Night Lights’ 9 Most Annoying Characters

Published on November 30, 2015.

Friday Night Lights had one of the most critically acclaimed casts of a lot of teen drama series, but that doesn’t mean all of the characters were likeable. There may have only been five seasons of the show, but that did not mean there was no opportunity for new characters. In fact, Friday Night Lights took a big risk when it swapped out a large number of the original cast for a set of new stars with Coach Taylor’s transfer to East Dillon. Between recurring stars, newcomers and brief appearances, there were quite a few characters who rubbed audiences the wrong way. Check out the 9 most annoying characters on Friday Night Lights.

9. Ray “Voodoo” Tatum

Seeing as how they made Ray “Voodoo” Tatum the villain, it isn’t surprising that his character was annoying. While Matt was trying to adjust as number one quarterback after Jason Street’s accident, Buddy Garrity brought in Ray “Voodoo” Tatum who was displaced by Hurricane Katrina, but he made it really hard to sympathize with him. His attitude alone was enough to hate the guy. Everyone had Matt’s back and Voodoo was just about as annoying and cocky as someone could be, so thankfully his turn as a Dillon Panther didn’t last long, just long enough for everyone to hate him.

Source: NBC

8. Buddy Garrity

Buddy Garrity had his moments where he was funny and a pretty good character, but there were times when he was really hard to stand. As the rich, privileged leader of Dillon, Garrity was just too entitled and blinded by money to see the true problem sometimes, and then of course it was discovered he had cheated on Lyla’s mom multiple times, making him much more detestable than before. The worst of all was when he cheated with Tyra’s mom, he then gave her money to keep her quiet, nailing the lid on the coffin that his character was frustrating, angering, and disgusting. He might have redeemed himself over the seasons, but it seemed he just kept screwing up, as when he had lost Lyla’s entire college fund but didn’t tell her.

Source: NBC

7. Smash Williams

Again, Smash was likeable sometimes, but it took a long time to get there, and honestly any character who is immediately introduced as the enemy of Tim Riggins becomes pretty easy to dislike. If Tim thought he was annoying, fans also thought he was annoying, it is just that simple. Unfortunately, fans were not only introduced to Smash as the enemy of Tim, but his actions backed up Tim’s feelings as he was not a team player, and couldn’t look past his own spot as the self-proclaimed star of the team to benefit the others. He also talked about himself in the third person which was extremely annoying.

Source: NBC

6. Shelby Saracen

After watching Matt’s sweet and at times heartbreaking relationship with his grandmother and learning his dad was off to war and his mom had abandoned them, it was really hard to accept her when she made her appearance in the Season 3 episode “Tami Knows Best.” Matt really couldn’t catch a break and right from the beginning he had the support of the fans, so it was particularly hard to see him reach out for a relationship and help from his mom. Although Shelby Saracen came around, it seemed she still couldn’t handle the mother role, and Matt always seemed more mature than her.

Source: NBC

5. J.D. McCoy

J.D. McCoy’s character arc took a very interesting, yet extremely disappointing turn over his time on Friday Night Lights. At first he was an okay character, albeit annoying only because once again his superstar talent threatened Matt’s spot on the team. He was much easier to understand when it was revealed he was mentally and physically abused by his father; however, in Season 4, it seems in some ways J.D. has become his father and it is extremely easy to hate him. He is arrogant, ignorant and extremely rude and disrespectful to everyone, especially Luke, and that is not acceptable.

Source: NBC

4. Joe McCoy

Of course, the reason J.D. is the way he is, is because of his horrible father, Joe McCoy. If anyone thought having Buddy Garrity as the head booster, and money source for the team was a problem, it was nothing when Joe McCoy took over the position and began controlling everyone. He did not listen to or respect Coach Taylor, and worst of all was abusive to his own family. Unfortunately, the Taylors calling Child Protective Services didn’t seem to change much for Joe and J.D. who were both as bad as ever in season 4, before their crushing defeat sends them packing.

Source: NBC

3. Lyla Garrity

Lyla Garrity was much too naive for her own good, and that trait became very annoying after only a few episodes. As the priviliged daughter of Buddy Garrity, it definitely seemed Lyla felt it was her right to have everything she wanted, be head cheerleader and date (and planned to marry) Jason Street. Although she meant well most of the time, it is still unbelievable that following Street’s injury it didn’t take long for her “love” to transfer to another star player but also Street’s best friend, Tim Riggins. Poor character development made Lyla seem not only selfish but completely fake by making it appear that all she wanted was to be an NFL trophy-wife, and yet she always maintained her sickly sweetness to cover up her actions with innocence, which was taken to the extreme with her year of intense Christianity. Her back-and-forth between getting it on with Tim and being a goody-two-shoes was particularly annoying.

Source: NBC

2. Becky Sproles

The problem with Becky Sproles character was that it seemed she was not given the fair shake she deserved. It was unfortunate that for the most part her character seemed pointless, and as such it got quite frustrating watching her pine over Tim, who was doing his best to be the friend she needed but not lead her on. Of course, her pregnancy and abortion storyline with Luke Cafferty was very well done; however, most felt she in no way deserved him either. Most annoying was that it always appeared she was never that into Luke but was just with him because she couldn’t get Tim.

Source: NBC

1. Julie Taylor

Was there any question who would be number one? The opinion of liking or disliking the wide array of Friday Night Lights characters varies through fans of the show, but as a collective there is a resounding and rather deep hate for Julie Taylor. While it is hard to separate the actor or actress from the role, it is hoped Aimee Teegarden is actually a much better actress than her turn as Julie Taylor allowed. She was pouty, self-important, rude and extremely flaky, so much so it seems annoying is a very minimal term for describing the character. Most surprising about her was that, as the daughter of two of the most amazing people in TV couple history, it seemed impossible she could be as horrible as she was, let alone rude to them. She also treated Matt terribly, even though she in no way deserved him.

Source: NBC
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