Most interesting about the next season of The League is how the show does without its former lead-in and with the added attention FXX will receive from its acquisition of The Simpsons. While The League could drop a bit now that it’s standing on its own for the first time, there’s a strong likelihood that any decline could be curbed or even avoided by the addition of The Simpsons, something that might have the power to take FXX to the next level. Thus far in its run, FXX has been the home of wayward FX comedies, with Legit getting cancelled after one season on the network and the final season of Wilfred going out with a whimper and since there won’t be any FXX original scripted series until 2015, it’s up to The Simpsons to give the network the type of momentum in the last quarter of the year that it hasn’t generated on its own thus far.

Following a group of friends who compete in a fantasy football league every year, The League stars Stephen Rannazzisi (Paul Blart: Mall Cop), Katie Aselton (Black Rock), Mark Duplass (Tammy), Nick Kroll (Kroll Show), Paul Scheer (NTSF: SD: SUV::), and Jon Lajoie (Let’s Be Cops).

Will you be watching the sixth season of The League? Do you think the show can survive without It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia? What kind of impact do you think The Simpsons will have on the FXX lineup?

The post The League Season 6 to Premiere September 3rd on FXX appeared first on TVHackr.

The comedies officially launched FXX on Wednesday night (September 4th), and retained most of their audience, despite the fact that the new channel is in 26 million fewer home than their former home, FX.

Though the shows have loyal followings, there was no guarantee that audiences would make the jump for the shows on a new night, let alone on a new network. Viewers had to do the work on their own to find FXX, which is replacing Fox Soccer on most major cable plans, and then, of course, remember that the shows now air on Wednesday rather than Thursdays.

According to Nielsen estimates, the season nine premiere of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia averaged 648,000 adults 18-49 – down from 809,000 with it’s premiere last October, though the show bested its viewership with men 18-34 (396,000 to 366,000 last year).

The League also showed promise, building from its Sunny lead-in, with 687,000 adults 18-49, down from 732,000 a year ago. The overall audience remained within 13% of last year’s viewership.

While FXX made one smart decision avoiding putting such male-skewing comedies opposite NFL programming on Thursdays, the scheduling shift now pits the comedies against first-run FX dramas The Bridge, now, and American Horror Story, next month. However, FX has said that one reason for differentiating the original network and the new comedy-centric FXX is to hopefully bring a younger skew to the latter – which was the case on Wednesday night’s opener, where comedies on FXX ranked best among men 18-34, and FX dramas performed best with men 25-54.

It will certainly be interesting to see how the numbers play out for FX/FXX dramas and comedies as the season continues. Hopefully with a bit more promotion, and the addition of FXX in homes, the network will more concretely prove itself.

In addition to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The League, FXX original comedies Legit and Chozen (an animated series) will be joining the lineup.

The post Comedies Hold Steady with Move to FXX appeared first on TVHackr.

This week on TVHackr, we talked about Glee delaying their season premiere, the possibility of a 12 Monkeys series adaptation at Syfy, and new additions to Bates Motel, while the internet looked back on the best TV in 2013, suggested shows you should be watching on Hulu, and evaluated the representation of autism on television.

Helix Adds Hiroyuki Sanada, Kyra Zagorsky, and Mark Ghanime
Upcoming Syfy thriller Helix has made added three cast members, who join recently announced Billy Campbell. But who will they be playing and how will they figure into the show’s universe?

Low Winter Sun: A First Look at AMC’s Upcoming Cop Drama
Get a nearly five minute look at Low Winter Sun, which stars Mark Strong and Lennie James as Detroit detectives who collaborate on killing a fellow officer.

Glee Delays Production, Season 5 to Premiere September 26th
Due to the death of Cory Monteith, Glee has delayed its production until the beginning of August, thereby booting its season premiere from September 19th to September 26th.

The Walking Dead Season 4 to Premiere October 13th; Watch the Trailer Here
The first full-length trailer for The Walking Dead‘s fourth season was released at Comic-Con, along with a premiere date. What’s in store for the survivors this season?

Magic City Recap: A Dream in Tatters on the Sand
While Vera comes to a realization about her dancing career, Ben makes Stevie a tempting offer and Ike learns about the fate of Theresa.

Devious Maids Spoilers: Peri Becomes Paranoid About Spence Having an Affair
Coming up on Devious Maids, Genevieve hits a rough financial patch, endangering the jobs of Valentina and Zoila, while Carmen gets jealous when Sam starts dating.

Hit the Floor 1.09 Sneak Peeks: Ahsha and Jelena Battle for an All-Star Slot
Ahsha and Jelena are in the running for a performance slot at the All-Star game, Kyle has an unsettling encounter with a rich fan, and German might have had all he can stand of his girlfriend’s new personality.

Comic-Con News and Trailers: Once Upon a Time, Arrow, Bones, Family Guy, and More
Miss anything from 2013 San Diego Comic-Con? We’ve compiled the news items and trailer we missed in one handy place.

12 Monkeys Nearing Series Order at Syfy; BBC America Goes to Atlantis
While Syfy is said to be nearing a series order of 12 Monkeys, based on the Bruce Willis film of the same name, BBC America has greenlit Atlantis, a fantasy actioner from Misfits creator Howard Overman.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, and Totally Biased to Premiere September 4th on FXX
Three former FX series have been given start dates for next season, their first on fledgling cable network FXX, which opens its doors officially two days prior.

Bunheads Canceled by ABC Family
The Amy Sherman-Palladino ballet drama finished its first season this past February and joins The Lying Game in the ABC Family summer scrap heap.

The Fosters Recap: You Taste Like Badger, George
Ana won’t leave Mariana alone about the money, Callie stands up for Talya to Brandon, and Jesus takes matters into his own hands, potentially to Stef’s detriment.

News Roundup: Jason Momoa Joins Sundance’s The Red Road
The Game of Thrones star has signed on for the lead role in The Red Road, which follows a sheriff that has to negotiate a difficult relationship between his hometown and a nearby Indian reservation.

Bates Motel: Michael Vartan, Rebecca Creskoff, and Kenny Johnson Join Season 2
Bates Motel has added three recurring players to its second season, including a love interest for Norma and a member of the Bates family that has only been talked about to this point.

Twisted 1.08 Sneak Peeks: Danny and Lacey Continue Sneaking Around
While Danny and Lacey continue their secret relationship, Kyle puts more pressure on Karen and Rico battles the complicated feelings he has for his best friend.

Mistresses 1.09 Preview: Would Elizabeth Grey Have Killed Tom?
Karen deals with the bombshell that Elizabeth dropped at the end of last week’s episode, Savi and Joss’s mother Janet comes for an unexpected visit, and April tries to decide whether to be truthful to Lucy and Richard.

Sons of Anarchy Season 6 to Premiere Tuesday, September 10th
FX has announced that biker drama Sons of Anarchy will be premiering its sixth season on Tuesday, September 10th with a 90-minute episode.

The Fosters 1.09 Sneak Peeks: Callie Enlightens Brandon on Being a Foster Child
While Callie tries to help Brandon understand the twins better, Lena learns about the secrets that her children have been keeping.

FX to Air Marathons of American Horror Story and Louie
In honor of their Emmy attention, the second season of American Horror Story and the third season of Louie will be marathoned on FX in August.

BBC America Announces Premiere Dates for Ripper Street, Law & Order: UK, and More
At their TCA session, BBC America announced its plans for the rest of 2013 and the beginning of 2014, including the returns of Orphan Black, Ripper Street, and In the Flesh.

Tyrant Casts Mehdi Dehbi and Moran Atias
FX drama pilot Tyrant has named its first two cast members in Mehdi Dehbi and Moran Atias. But who will they be playing on the series?

Syfy to Wrap Sinbad, Primeval Early with Marathons
Syfy will end the runs of international acquisitions Sinbad and Primeval: New World early by showing day-long marathons of each, including episodes not yet aired in the United States.

Treme Season 4 to Premiere Sunday, December 1st at 9:00
The five-episode final season of Treme will premiere Sunday, December 1st on HBO, with Boardwalk Empire having ended its fourth season the previous week.

Cinemax Announces New Clive Owen Series The Knick
Clive Owen will star in a 10-episode Cinemax series about Knickerbocker Hospital in 1900 New York, which will be directed by Steven Soderbergh.

Hit the Floor Season Finale Sneak Peek: Olivia Delivers a Crushing Statement to the Press
On the season finale of Hit the Floor, Olivia has to man a press conference about the death of a Devil Girl. Which dancer will meet their maker come Monday?

Hit the Floor: Who Could Die in the Season Finale?
One Los Angeles Devil Girl will not make it to the second season of Hit the Floor. Who is most likely to die during the first season finale?

Lesbians Are Having the Best Summer Ever on TV (Vulture)
Vulture concludes that lesbians are having a pretty darn good summer, thanks to representation on Orange is the New Black, The Killing, The Fosters, Pretty Little Liars, Under the Dome, Mistresses, and True Blood.

5 Shows to Watch on Hulu Right Now (Vulture)
Now that we’re in a pretty calm part of the TV summer, do you need something to watch on Hulu? Vulture has five suggestions of series to dive into.

The best TV of 2013 (so far) (The A.V. Club)
The A.V. Club has compiled what they believe to be the greatest television of the year thus far. Did your favorite show make the list?

Is Chromecast Google’s Trojan Horse For Television? (Forbes)
Forbes argues that Google has created the Chromecast, a device that will let you stream web video on your TV, as a way to dip its toes into the television market. Is a network next?

Rise in injuries from falling television sets: study (New York Daily News)
Television sets injure one child every 30 minutes in America, and the rate of  emergency room visits is increasing with the popularity of flat-screen TVs, per the New York Daily News.

Television on the Spectrum: The Best (and Worst) Depictions of Asperger Syndrome on TV (Flavorwire)
Flavorwire examines 15 portrayals of autistic characters on television and rates the best and worst of the bunch. Just how honest is TV’s latest trend?

Why is TV so bad at music shows? (The Guardian)
The Guardian laments the lack of a great music show a’la Top of the Pops and CD: UK, as well as analyzes the state of music show television.

Sports Fans Slowly Move From TV to the Internet (AdWeek)
According to AdWeek, while 94% of fans watch sports on television, digital media are gaining in popularity.

The post The Week in Television Wrap July 20-26 appeared first on TVHackr.

Set to be available in 72 million homes come September 2nd at 7:00 a.m., FXX was formed earlier this year and will concentrate on (mostly comedy) programing that specifically target the 18-34 demographic. In addition to the three mentioned, Jim Jefferies vehicle Legit will also be making the move to the network, also joining animated comedy Chozen, the first new series greenlit specifically for FXX. The network has already acquired syndication rights to the likes of Parks and Recreation, Sports Night, and Raising Hope in order to fill its airwaves and get on its feet.

FX, meanwhile, will focus on dramas aimed at the 18-49 demographic, keeping Archer, Wilfred, and Louie in its comedy stable while expanding its drama slate with the likes of The Americans and The Bridge. The network has also made plans to enter into the world of limited-run programming through potential miniseries about Puritan settlers at Plymouth, an international luxury hotel in Paris, a reunion of four forty-something friends, and bank robber Willie Sutton. They’ve already ordered one limited series in Fargo, an adaptation of the 1996 Oscar-winning Coen Brothers move of the same name.

What do you think of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The League moving to Wednesdays? Can Totally Biased adapt to its new format? Should FX have split into two different networks at this point in time?

The post It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, and Totally Biased to Premiere September 4th on FXX appeared first on TVHackr.

FXX will aim at the younger viewers, think the raunchy 18-34 year old crowd. Why raunchy? Because moving with the netlet will be FX staple comedies It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, The League,  and Legit.. Not exactly the same crowd other younger skewing networks go for, so it should find quite a nice niche for itself. There are also plans to develop new, scripted dramas for the network as well. It will launch in more than 74 million homes and likely take over the FX Soccer channel. I’ll wait while you rush to see if your current carrier provides the channel or if you’re going to need to start a campaign.

FXM will target 25-54 year old viewers (thank you FX for believing people don’t drop off the planet after the age of 49) and is planning on developing and airing limited series and miniseries. There was no mention on the initial rollout to the number of households. Personally, I’m extremely excited about this idea. How well this network does could go a long way to determining the future of network programming in general. For years we’ve been debating the relevance of a show with a lifespan with an expectancy of decades without cast changes and how the audience reacts to it. AMC rolled the dice on altering the original format of the The Killing by extended a wrapped up murder story in one season, and failed. They’re giving it another try, but with an entire network focusing on one thing, the dam could finally break.

The FX Suite of networks will also include an app with expanded content on-demand to authenticated users and an FX Movie Bin with over 40 on-demand movies per month.

In addition to everything mentioned above, FX have also amassed a large amount of acquired series and theatrical movies to keep their networks stocked with content.

Other news at the up fronts included the anticipated announcement additional season pickups of those series mentioned above as well as Justified, Sons of Anarchy and new programming from Ang Lee, the Coen Brothers, Guillermo del Toro, Alexander Payne, Sam Mendes and Paul Giamatti. The Coen Brothers will be a limited series version of their former theatrical release Fargo (presumably for FXM?) and Guillermo del Toro will produce The Strain “a unique, biological approach” to vampirism.

The Americans had already been renewed for a second season, American Horror Story : Coven will be out in time for Halloween and the fourth season of Louie will premiere in May 2014.

The post FX Network Up Fronts – FX Begets FXlets! The FX Suite of Networks appeared first on TVHackr.

Do you think you can handle more of The League?

It doesn’t matter because you’re getting more of The League. Beginning Thursday, December 6th at 10:30, the FX fantasy football comedy will be airing three consecutive weeks of back-to-back new episodes, culminating in a December 20th season finale.

Up first in the upcoming League blitz is “The Anchor Baby,” where Ruxin runs into marital problems with Sofia, who he thinks has soured on their relationship, and the guys try to lose an acquaintance that none of them care to be around. Meanwhile, Jenny uses insider information to help her in making a dirty trade, which will assuredly come back to bite her in some way. Kevin might not be that vengeful toward his wife, Taco couldn’t care less about the dirty dealings of The League, and Jenny can handle anything that Andre tries to do to get even with her, but if she screwed over either Pete or (especially) Ruxin, she might want to brace herself for the humiliation to come.

Following at 11:00 will be “Bro-lo El Cordero,” where Andre takes advantage of Kevin following his colonoscopy and Pete thinks that his grandpa is committing adultery. Meanwhile, there’s a major League dispute and as no one wants Ruxin to be the deciding word in anything, they call in the only other person they’ve got – Rafi. However, I have a feeling that by the end of the episode, the League will be kicking themselves for not just letting Ruxin get his way and avoiding the damage that will surely come from Rafi being in charge.

Do you think doubling up on episodes of The League is a good idea? What will happen once the rest of The League finds out that Jenny used insider information to make her trade? Will Rafi actually be able to settle the League dispute properly or will it turn into a bigger mess than if Ruxin had been in charge?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0DxZ5wfhdY

The post The League 4.08/4.09 Promo: Of Truth Hammers and Fruit Rollups appeared first on TVHackr.

The League is finally heading to another game, but their attention won’t be on the action on the field this time.

Tonight on The League, Andre tries to get the guys to go tailgating, but any hope they had of having any fun goes out the window when they run into high school nemesis Frank “The Body” Gibiatti. He had the same idea for his group of friends and that means that The League will try to outdo him in any way possible. The League is obviously extremely competitive among one another and will do anything in order to get the advantage, but now that there’s an outside threat to their game day activities, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them ban together and try to take down The Body.

Elsewhere on The League, Taco gets a shirt signed by former Chicago Bear quarterback Jim McMahon…and then asks for 300 more to be signed, in order to sell them later. Might this be the latest idea from Taco Corp., a second-hand merchandising shop featuring jerseys, shirts, and hats from NFL greats? With or without their permission, of course. (Judging by the photo, it looks like McMahon will get into the spirit.) Or is this just Taco being Taco?

The League airs tonight at 10:30 on FX following an all new episode of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Beginning the week of December 6th, there’ll be three consecutive weeks of double episodes of The League, culminating in a December 20th finale. The show has yet to be renewed for a fourth season.

Would you buy a shirt signed by Jim McMahon from Taco, even if it was kept in a garbage bag? Do you think the guys will be able to have fun tailgating while dealing with Frank and his friends? What other NFL players would you like to see make an appearance later in the season?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zzUiypGKWA

The post The League 4.06 Promo: Tailgating Gone Awry appeared first on TVHackr.

Who knew that election fever would strike The League, of all places? Tonight on the FX fantasy football comedy, Kevin has decided to run for judge and ends up at a charity event with Buffalo Bills quarterback (and Harvard University graduate) Ryan Fitzpatrick. Kevin may (arguably) be the most competent member of The League, but he’s just as prone to messing up any good thing that comes around as any other member of the group and I don’t expect any type of campaign (or charity event) to go well for him…really, anytime soon. Politics is a rough field to begin with, as we’ve seen over the recent campaign season, so throw in the football element, Kevin’s competitiveness, and no political experience and you have a recipe for disaster.

Considering that he (and Jenny) could barely contain themselves around the mother of Jay Cutler’s baby around last week, it might be the presence of Fitzpatrick that does him in at the event, both in terms of being around a football player/tempted to go into fantasy mode and having someone with that type of pedigree near him. Kevin’s insecure about his intelligence anyway and to be near someone from Harvard at an event like that could threaten him, put him on the defensive, and send his chances of making a fool of himself shooting through the roof.

Elsewhere on The League, Ellie contracts lice and Andre might need to get himself checked as a result, despite being bald and not wanting to acknowledge/come to terms with his hair loss. Meanwhile, the guys take an intelligence test to determine the smartest member of their group, which can only mean that they’ll try to cheat, attempt to sabotage one another, and Taco will emerge victorious.

The League airs tonight at 10:30 on FX.

Which member of the group do you think will be the smartest? How will Kevin embarrass himself in front of Ryan Fitzpatrick? Will Andre catch lice from Ellie?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51CKIbydr-A

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