FX President John Landgraf on Louis CK and Charlie Sheen
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FX President John Landgraf has taken that network from being a basic cable outpost of the News Corp. empire to being a crucial part of that company's bottom line. Landgraf talks with Kim Masters about the unconventional deals he struck with Louis CK and Charlie Sheen for Louie and Anger Management, respectively. Landgraf also talks about why FX is so guy-centric and why he passed on Breaking Bad.
Banner image: (L-R) Louis CK and John Landgraf. Photo courtesy of FX.
Banter
The Hollywood News Banter ()
Michael Schneider and John Horn banter about some of this week's top Hollywood news stories. (Kim Masters is on vacation.)
- New Corps. splits into two companies, separating the entertainment assets from the publishing ones
- Ann Curry leaves the Today Show as the latest fall guy for a weak NBC
- Cable news channels rush to win viewers lead to errors on reporting the Supreme Court’s landmark healthcare decision
Guests:
- John Horn: Los Angeles Times, @jghorn
- Michael Schneider: TV Guide magazine, @TVGMSchneider
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Main Topic
FX President John Landgraf on Louis CK and Charlie Sheen ()
President of FX, John Landgraf talks with Kim Masters about the unusually hands-off deal he made with comedian Louis CK for his show, Louie. Essentially FX wires him money and he sends them a show. There's virtually no oversight or input from the network. It's a deal that many in the industry envy but something that Landgraf says that not every creator could handle.
Landgraf is no stranger to placing bets on shows, and a new show that he's hoping will pay off is Anger Management, starring Charlie Sheen. Landgraf tells Kim that he was prepared to pass on the show but was taken in by the pitch. He also outlines the deal points, which include an unusual arrangement where if the first season of ten episodes gets a certain ratings number then the show will be automatically renewed for 90 episodes.
Finally, with hits like It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Sons of Anarchy and Justified, FX skews towards a guy audience. Landgraf talks with Kim about this and also about why he passed on Breaking Bad.
Guests:
- John Landgraf: FX Networks
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