In the penultimate episode of Season 1, Maria and her guest Hailey McInnes delve into the journey of beloved teen drama character Tim Riggins from FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (2006-2011). When Tim’s family faces mounting medical bills and potential bankruptcy, they take extreme measures to make ends meet—and as a result, Tim becomes caught up in the criminal punishment system. In an episode where we quote a lot of Mariame Kaba, we argue that Tim Riggins’ story demonstrates why we need to abolish the prison industrial complex. 


For this episode, we recommend you first watch and/or have general familiarity with Seasons 4 and 5 of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, streaming on Hulu and Netflix.


CW: some brief discussion of sexual violence


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ABOUT US:


MARIA DIPASQUALE (she/her; host/editor) is a Brooklyn-based union communicator and writer who watches too much TV. Follow Maria on Twitter @Maria_DiP26, IG @mdzip, and tiktok @marialovesunions. In addition to Leftist Teen Drama, Maria hosts Bodysuits For Bughead: A Riverdale Podcast | tumblr: @bodysuitsforbughead twitter: @B4B_Podcast instagram: @bodysuits4bughead


HAILEY MCINNES (she/her; guest) is an advertising media director based in NYC. When she isn't buying ad space, she can be found binging all of the TV, drinking all the chilled red wine, and hanging with her cat son and human husband. IG: haileymcinnes / TW: haileymcinnes13


MADDY WIRYO (they/them; art) is an artist who works all around New England. You can find more of their work at: maddyworldfr.wordpress.com


JEFF MCHALE (he/him; producer) is an extremely online guy who plays games, streams sometimes, and loves talking old TV.


Maria and Jeff’s good union cats CLARENCE and VINNY may make an appearance and/or be mentioned. 


intro song: Stomping the Room by Delicate Beats 


All opinions shared on this show are that of individuals and do not represent the views of any organization we may be affiliated with.


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SOURCES DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: 


Are Prisons Obsolete? by Angela Davis
We Do This ‘Til We Free Us by Mariame Kaba
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

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SUGGESTED FURTHER READING/LISTENING:


The End of Policing by Alex Vitale
Critical Resistance resources
#8ToAbolition demands for a police free world
MPD 150’s Resource and Book List

Twitter Mentions