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FX renews 'Wilfred,' 'Louie,' 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'

Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton get pact

By Daniel Fienberg Saturday, Aug 6, 2011 2:17 PM

FX renews 'Wilfred,' 'Louie,' 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'
Credit: FX
On a busy Saturday (August 6) morning at the Television Critics Association press tour, FX announced renewals for comedies "Louie," "Wilfred" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia."
 
The "Louie" and "Wilfred" renewals are for 13 episodes.
 
"Wilfred" will wrap up its first season on Thursday, September 8. Thus far, "Wilfred" is enjoying the highest-rated first season for any FX comedy series, averaging 1.9 million viewers in the key 18-49 demographic through its first four episodes (Live+7) in its primary airing. Across all plays, "Wilfred" is averaging 4.8 million viewers and 3.3 million viewers in the 18-49 demo weekly.
 
"Louie," which earned Louis C.K. Emmy nods for acting and writing, is up by 52 percent over its first season in total viewers and by 56 percent among adults 18-49. "Louie" also earned Outstanding Achievement in Comedy and Outstanding Individual Achievement in Comedy nominations from the Television Critics Association.
 
"'Louie' and 'Wilfred' are two extraordinary shows, and it gives all of us at FX great pleasure to see them continue on our air," states FX President John Landgraf. "Both shows are ambitious, surprising, courageous, funny,
and unlike any other comedies on television. We couldn’t be more proud of them."
 
The "It's Alway Sunny in Philadelphia" renewal is a more expansive deal. Not only has FX ordered two additional seasons -- eight and nine -- of "It's Always Sunny," but the network also agreed to a three-year exclusive pact with Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton's RCG production single. That pact also includes an option for a 10th "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" season.
 
"'It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphi'a not only became a hit, but the cornerstone of FX’s successful comedy brand and we’re thrilled to be able to extend our partnership with Rob, Charlie and Glenn," states Landgraf.
"In embracing a low-cost production model and taking less money upfront, Rob, Glenn and Charlie were afforded more creative freedom, a true financial partnership and less pressure on ratings, so there was time to let the show find an audience. Sunny established a production model that is becoming favored by many in the creative community and led to 'The League,' 'Archer,' 'Louie' and 'Wilfred.' With Sunny, FX, FX Productions and RCG re-invented a new production model for television comedies."
 
Since premiering back in 2005, "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" has become one of ad-supported cable's top comedies, particularly in young male demographics. "Sunny" will return for its seventh season on Thursday, September 15.
 
Landgraf adds, "The exclusive television overall production deal with RCG marks the first overall television deal for FX Productions and it’s a huge step forward for the studio. Rob, Glenn and Charlie are outstanding writer/producers and comedic geniuses. The opportunity for them and FXP to develop
shows for FX and other networks is very exciting."

Inside Analysis

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Dan-feinberg-sm
Daniel Fienberg
Executive Editor
A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.
Related Searches: TCA Press Tour, TCA 2011, Wilfred, Louie, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
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  • Default-avatar

    Jort

    Sounds like if the Sunny guys finish "Boldly Going Nowhere" FX will get the rights to it. Hopefully this gets that show moving again.

    August 6, 2011 at 3:32PM EST Reply to Comment
  • Default-avatar

    Alex

    You really can't, and I'm not saying I agree with it. It's just that bird law in this country—it's not governed by reason.

    August 6, 2011 at 5:24PM EST Reply to Comment
  • Default-avatar

    michael

    I used that Bird Law bit in a deadly serious constitutional law presentation I had. It went over like a sack of shit, but I was happy.

    August 7, 2011 at 1:59AM EST Reply to Comment
  • Default-avatar

    Mojo CoCo

    It's nice to see shows that are actually worth a damn get renewed.

    August 7, 2011 at 2:10PM EST Reply to Comment
  • 003_talkback_profile

    Elevation

    I'm shocked how high Wilfred's ratings have been. The pre-season promos were awful. I thought it was going to be like Lights Out or Terriers.

    August 8, 2011 at 3:08PM EST Reply to Comment

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