Whereas AMC seems content to screw up its major shows with a series of mishaps and problems with its creators, FX looks like it has its head in the right place. It announced this weekend that three of its flagship comedy series will all be coming back for another season, and in the case of one of their longest-running shows, that also means its creators are going to get paid.
Wilfred, the channel's surprise hit, is officially on the hook for a second season after this premiere year ends, whereas Louie continues to bring the ratings for the network and unsurprisingly has earned a third year. One can only hope that Louie himself doesn't break down under the continued demands of being the writer-director-editor-star of a hit show, or, if he does, he at least has the courtesy to film his meltdown.
What's perhaps more surprising is that It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia was also renewed, but for two seasons, with an option for a third, which would make it the longest-running comedy on basic cable in either situation. Deadline has a lot more information on this renewal, and says that FX gives a lot of credit to Always Sunny for pioneering a cheap production model that has let them expand outward to shows that may never have aired on network television. After making a pilot for a few hundred bucks, the creative team behind the show are reaping the whirlwind now; the company that the three stars co-own has been signed up to a development deal worth in the range of $40-$50 million. Guess that dive bar is about to get a little fancier.
This is good news. I knew today would be a good Monday.
I have yet to catch Wilfred but all these shows certainly deserve more seasons. Good to see good television getting recognized.
It's great to see Always Sunny succeeding, and the cast and crew getting some well-earned attention. Big ups.
Louie is the best television show to ever exist, ever. Wilfred is fantastic as well. Good news all around.
It's kind of a miracle that a show as honest, down to earth, and relatively plotless as Louie, can exist today. Reminds you that the television industry isn't always as bad as it seems.
@FinalDasa: You really should see Wilfred. It's good from the start, but gets a lot better from Episode 3 on.
40-50 million? Does that mean that we're gonna be getting Boldly Going Nowhere--that sci-fi show starring Rickety Cricket, Artemis and Buster Bluth that Rob, Charlie and Glenn have been developing for years--soon, and that they will not be fucking around with the special effects? If so, sounds amazing!
Happy for Louie. The other two I'm not a fan of.
How has It's Always Sunny been? I really loved the first season, but I think the next couple seasons were worse. Has it improved since then?
@pat4327: If anything, the addition of Danny DeVito made the show significantly better. If you want some great episodes, then you should catch Mac is a Serial Killer, The Gang Dances Their Asses Off, Mac & Dennis: Manhunters, Paddy's Pub: The Worst Bar in Philadelphia, Who Pooped The Bed?, The Gang Solves the Gas Crisis, The D.E.N.N.I.S. System, The Gang Wrestles for the Troops, The Gang Hits The Road, Mac Fights Gay Marriage, The World Series Defense, and Mac and Charlie: White Trash. It sounds like a long list (And it is…) but you should totally catch all of those episodes. They're magnificent.
@Joest: I think I've actually seen all of those. I thought they were pretty good, but not as great as the first season episodes.
Ah crap, I've completely missed out on Louie this season.
@Vincemaster said:
The one episode I saw was the one where the crazy homeless guy runs up to Louie and he throws him into a truck. That show is king of awkwardness.
I can't decide whether 10 seasons of Always Sunny is a good thing or not. The show is still goddamn hilarious and is one of my favorites, but I'd hate to see the quality suffer because it was on too long. I guess time will only tell. The Gang hasn't let me down yet.
Louie getting a third season is 100% awesome. Love that show to death.
I haven't watched Wilfred at all. While it looks interesting, I simply don't have enough room for another show to watch.
I can't wait to see this season's Always Sunny. The local morning radio guys in Philly have the cast on their show, and they're always really funny. There's a pretty massive change to one of the cast members this upcoming season as well, so I'm interested to see what they do with it.
FX doing good work.
Hopefully this season is going to be awesome and hilarious because if it is signed on for at least 2 more seasons, I would hate to see it kind of slowly take a dive in quality and limp to the end similar to Entourage.
that Louie episode with Dane Cook in it was awkward man.