FX is the network that just can’t let go.
Why am I saying that?
The cable network just announced they’re planning to order additional episodes to the 2010 18-episode season of Rescue Me.
Also, there’s this Nip/Tuck thing where the whole show, including its series finale, has been shot for months now and they’re holding on to it until 2011!
This is crazier than SciFi with Battlestar Galactica‘s fourth season.
Obviously, they don’t want to let their “hit” shows die.
I’m also including Damages in the lot, hence the use of quotation marks. Despite poor ratings the show will still have a third season earlier next year and no changes will be made to garner more interest.
Even FX prez John Landgraf declared:
I was plainly disappointed with the ratings last year. It’s a really demanding show. You’re either in or you’re out. That type of programming doesn’t suit the current programing environment. Viewers are more interested in dating than marriage.
They can’t seem to face the fact that AMC is their own little Showtime…
As for the various premiere dates, Sons of Anarchy returns on Sept. 8, Philly on the 17th, Nip/Tuck on Oct. 14, Archer later during the fall, Damages‘ third season in January, and Lawman (not Lawnman) in March.
This season of Rescue Me is one of my favorites in the show's run but I think it is pretty strange to tack on episodes to the season this late in the game. As for Damages and SoA, both are great shows. Nip/Tuck, however, I have fallen in and out of love with over the seasons. I'd just like to see it die.
Well, to be fair, I'm also loving Rescue Me's latest season (far more than last year's).
That said, even though FX has greenlit a few shows this season, I still feel as though they're going through a similar phase as HBO did only a year or two ago. Once the hits are gone, that's when the real work starts.
ABC is trying to avoid that (let's face it, Lost is out by next year and Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy will probably be gone by 2012). Not sure that they will succeed though (maybe with just FlashForward).