Bobby Elvis, Chibs and the rest of the "Sons of Anarchy" gang will be on FX for at least another season.

Credit: FX

Unlike some other channels, both broadcast and cable, FX usually takes its time deciding whether to renew its series. "Sons of Anarchy" season 3 wasn't ordered until fairly late into season 2, even though the outlaw biker drama had already become the biggest hit in FX history.

Five episodes into season 3, though, it's so clear that "Sons" is and will continue to be a hit that FX decided not to wait in announcing their order for a season 4, to air next year.

This year, "Sons" is the highest-rated scripted show on cable in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic. Each epsiode averages 4.9 million total viewers and 3.4 million viewers in the demo. Factoring in multiple plays across the week, those numbers go up to 8.6 million overall and 5.9 million in the demo.

“Sons of Anarchy is the most popular show FX has ever had, and the #1 series in basic cable for our key demographic.  It is also one of the best, most original series on television,” FX presdient John Landgraf said in a statement. “FX is grateful to Kurt Sutter and his team of writers, actors, directors and crew for working so hard to make a show that achieves both those levels of success.   We congratulate them and look forward to season four.”

You can read my "Sons of Anarchy" season 3 reviews here.

The cul-de-sac crew jams on "Cougar Town."

Credit: ABC

A quick review of last night's "Cougar Town" coming up just as soon as I explain the difference between "served" and "owned"...

Nathan Lane stopped by "Modern Family" last night.

Credit: ABC

A quick review of last night's "Modern Family" coming up just as soon as I play Good Cop/Mom...

Michael Raymond-James as Britt in "Terriers."

Credit: FX

A review of tonight's "Terriers" coming up just as soon as I shoot some perfume ads...

Richard Chamberlain back in the "Shogun" days.

A bit of "Chuck" casting scoop: Richard Chamberlain will be appearing in two episodes later this season (the eighth and ninth) as Adelbert De Smet, aka "The Belgian," described in the casting notes as "an international spy who's as elusive as he is ruthless. When he crosses paths with Operation Bartowski, he becomes one of Chuck's most dangerous foes yet." 

Chamberlain fits the retro vibe of much of the show's guest-casting, as he was one of the biggest stars on television in the '70s and '80s, when he earned the nickname "King of the miniseries" for his work in projects like "Centennial," "Shogun" and "The Thorn Birds." And as a young actor in the '60s, he became famous as young "Dr. Kildare."  He hasn't acted much lately, but did guest star on "Leverage" earlier this year.

Other upcoming "Chuck" guest stars include Timothy Dalton, Eric Roberts and, in a return engagement from last year, Armand Assante.

Max Burkholder and Monica Potter on "Parenthood."

Credit: NBC

A quick review of last night's "Parenthood" coming up just as soon as I use fabric softener...

Jim (Michael Chiklis) helps stitch up Stephanie (Julie Benz) on "No Ordinary Family."

Credit: ABC

A review of last night's "No Ordinary Family" coming up just as soon as I'm Urlacher...

Keri Russell and Will Arnett in "Running Wilde."

Credit: FOX

A review of last night's "Running Wilde" coming up just as soon as I get out of the Easthampton drunk tank...

Stahl (Ally Walker) and Gemma (Katey Sagal) negotiate on "Sons of Anarchy."

Credit: FX

A review of tonight's "Sons of Anarchy" coming up just as soon as I'm in a position of influence...

Barney and Ted make a deal on "How I Met Your Mother."

Credit: CBS

A quick review of last night's "How I Met Your Mother" coming up just as soon as my hairstyle is co-opted by the lesbian community...