May 19, 2008 7:42PM
More Reasons to Love FX
By Alexis Glick
Are you an FX fan? Like shows like The Shield or Damages? Impressed by heavy hitters like Forest Whitaker, Eddie Izzard, Danny DeVito, Courteney Cox, Glenn Close — you name it?
The man behind all of that success and those names is John Landgraf, president and general manager of FX, who — hot off the press — signed a 3-year deal this morning with Fox Networks Group (an operating unit of News Corporation, the parent company of the FOX Business Network). During his tenure, the network has achieved all-time highs in total viewers and with its target the 18-49 demographic. FX averaged more primetime viewers aged 18-49 and 18-34 during 2007 than any other time in its 14-year history, and ranked 4th among all cable and satellite services in adults 18-49 for the first quarter of 2008. Not bad!!!!!
This morning, John joined me in New Orleans at Cafe Du Monde. He was also kind enough to hook me up with Glenn Close who I interviewed this afternoon. That interview will run on Money for Breakfast later this week. She played a pivotal role on The Shield and has since moved on to her own series called Damages. She won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Series for both roles — The Shield in 2005 and Damages in 2008.
Here is my interview with John.
Comment by Barbara D.
May 20th, 2008 at 12:04 am
I am a huge Eddie Izzard fan and thorughly enjoyed The Riches. It is sad that the writers’ strike affected the series. Is there any possibility that The Riches will return? Eddie has a huge following and is currently touring the country performing his hilarious stand-up comedy. On behalf of Eddie izzard, Minnie Driver fans and The Riches viewers, we hope you consider renewing the series.
Comment by Elizabeth
May 20th, 2008 at 8:30 am
I too am an Eddie Izzard fan and love The Riches! He and Minnie Driver are terrific together and you cannot leave us hanging from this last shortened season. It is such a different premise and very cutting edge. I miss The Sopranos from HBO and this show is right up there with that show! It’s well worth a third season and many more after that!
I hope that FX will consider renewing it!!!
Comment by Lynn
May 20th, 2008 at 10:49 am
There’s to much going on in The Riches!!!! FX has to bring it back.
I LOVE EDDIE!
Comment by Patty
May 20th, 2008 at 11:06 am
The Riches is my favorite show on television. FX has a real winner with Eddie Izzard, Minnie Driver and the rest of the extremely talented cast. Please bring it back for a third season, I need to know how the plotline plays out…..don’t leave all these charming characters (and all of the Riches fans) hanging!
Comment by Pandora
May 20th, 2008 at 11:18 am
The Riches is like a fine wine . . . an already-terrific premise has improved over the episodes. Eddie Izzard is a genius and Minnie Driver is perfect! It’s the only show I watch with any regularity. PLEASE, PLEASE bring it back for a third season!
Comment by reeltexas
May 20th, 2008 at 11:33 am
I am a Fox News Fan. Thanks
Comment by Jennifer
May 20th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
One of the big reasons FX did so well in ‘07 is because of The Riches. This show has a huge following, and it would be a shame if one of the most cutting edge, darkly comic, and critically acclaimed series were to leave us hanging. Bring back the Malloy family, the Panco bunch, the neighbors and friends (I love Nina!) and let this rare gem continue to captivate us for seasons to come.
Comment by CD
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:51 am
I haven’t been hooked on a weekly series in quite a while, but as The Riches
came around, there I was, every week…hooked. Really hope the show continues, as do the many I know who love the show as well .
Comment by Suzi
May 22nd, 2008 at 1:23 am
Kudos to John Landgraf and his fresh perspective in Television.
I am a huge FX fan. My favorite show is The Riches. The story is fresh and exciting, the energy the cast brings to the show is electric. I agree it would be a shame to lose this one. Due to the writers strike which shortened season I believe it deserves another chance.
Comment by Cheri
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:37 am
I rarely watched FX, maybe the occasional movie, but I was curious about The Riches when I first heard about it. Maybe it was an early TV Guide article. I didn’t even know who Eddie Izzard was. Minnie Driver had more name recognition with me. That was
late 2006, early 2007. Now I own all the Izzard performance DVDs, and Season One of The Riches.And have seen him in his ‘Stripped’ tour. Tuesday nights were a huge deal for me for seven weeks while Season Two was on. Not now, sadly.
The strength of success that his ‘Stripped’ tour is having should surely be enough for several more seasons, and he certainly has done his part for publicity. Even ‘The View.’ I mean, Come On.
As a parting shot, Season One was not rerun. It wouldn’t hurt to rerun the shortened Season Two.
Comment by Cheri
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:40 am
Oh, and Congratulations Mr. Landgraf.
Comment by Krista50
May 27th, 2008 at 2:41 am
I really hope THE RICHES show comes back for many more seasons. There is nothing else on television like this show, and Eddie Izzard is quite popular here in the U.S., selling out shows on his current comedy tour, STRIPPED, and he’s just great!!! I wish the show would have been on a full season this time, and I’m looking forward to seeing the third season and beyond. I can’t get enough of him, and his American accent is just fine! Minnie Driver is great, too!