In yet another desperate attempt to get people to watch the critically acclaimed and ratings’ challenged “Friday Night Lights,” NBC’s cable sibling Bravo is offering up a marathon to get folks up to speed.

Bravo airs back-to-back episodes of the freshman drama, “Friday Night Lights” with a ten-hour marathon, Saturday, December 30, 9 AM-7 PM ET/PT.

I’ll admit that I loved the pilot and the first few episodes, yet it never quite became a must-see show during my off-hours. It’s a wonderful series, but it moves slower than a glacier on a non-warming globe.

Inspired by the book and the film “Friday Night Lights,” the series centers on the small rural town of Dillon, Texas, where the coveted state football championship rings are held in the highest regard. Dillon’s promising high school team, its star quarterback, and newly appointed head coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler, “King Kong,” “Grey’s Anatomy”) continually feel the mounting pressure of the town’s pride and honor riding on their shoulders as soon as the Panthers’ new football season kicks off.

The strong cast includes: Scott Porter (”The Bedford Diaries”) as the injured former star quarterback Jason Street; Gaius Charles (”Book of Daniel”) as feared running back Brian “Smash” Williams; Taylor Kitsch (”Kyle XY”) as running back Tim Riggins; Connie Britton (”The Brothers McMullen,” “24″) as Taylor’s supportive wife, Tami; Zach Gilford (”The Last Winter”) as new team captain and starting quarterback Matt Saracen, and Minka Kelly (”What I Like About You”) as Lyla Garrity, Panther cheerleader and Street’s girlfriend.

Also starring are: Aimee Teegarden (”Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide”) as Coach Taylor’s daughter, Julie; Adrianne Palicki (”South Beach”) as Tyra Collette, and Jesse Plemons (”Grey’s Anatomy”) as Landry Clarke.

Check it out and let us know what you think of the series. Is it worth all the critical acclaim?