Charlie Sheen’s two-year plan

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 19:20:00 +0000

On Thursday night, the FX sitcom "Anger Management" returns for its second and, in a sense, final season: After an initial run of 10 episodes, the next 90 (yes, 90) will run more or less uninterrupted over the course of the next two years. (They'll likely take a week off for the start of the NCAA basketball tournament in March.)

The deal allows FX to purchase a relatively inexpensive property, guarantees production company Debmar-Mercury syndication dollars starting in 2014, and hands star Charlie Sheen some walking-around money. The mercurial actor has a reported approximate 40 percent stake in the show, including the syndication profits.

Chuck Saftler, executive vice-president of FX and the man responsible for greenlighting episodes 11 through 100, was aware that the program -- with its laugh track and three-camera setup — has little in common with the network's edgier fare, like the critically acclaimed "Louie" and "Justified." "Prior to 10 p.m.," said Saftler, "we have 'Two and a Half Men,' "How I Met Your Mother,' and the best movie portfolio on the air. When you look at how 'Anger Management' plays with 'Two and a Half Men,' or movies like 'Iron man' or 'Taken' or 'Avatar,' it’s a very traditional fit."

Louis C.K. taking hiatus from “Louie”: “I want it to stay funny”

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 21:23:00 +0000

Fans have yet another reason to appreciate the Emmy-winning stand-up comic Louis C.K.: He's taking a year-long hiatus from his comedy "Louie" -- which he writes, produces, directs, edits and stars in -- to make sure it stays funny and meaningful. "The last three seasons have been a surge of fun stories, and it's been great to share all the stuff, and I want the show to keep getting better," Louis C.K. said on a press call this morning. "I want it to keep being something that comes from somewhere fun and important."

FX Networks President and General Manager John Landgraf, also on the call, seemed to be supportive. "Louis will do whatever he wants to do," Landgraf said.

Salon.com > FX network

Charlie Sheen’s two-year plan

Louis C.K. taking hiatus from “Louie”: “I want it to stay funny”