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    Back to The Business

    The Business

    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.

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    By Kim Masters • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    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.

    The full episode

    2 of 2
    FX President John Landgraf on Louis CK and Charlie Sheen
    1. 0:00The Hollywood News Banter
    2. 5:47FX President John Landgraf on Louis CK and Charlie SheenYou’re reading this
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Kim Masters

      partner/writer at Puck News, host of KCRW's “The Business.”

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Saul Gonzalez

      Reporter

    • KCRW placeholder

      Darby Maloney

      Producer

    • KCRW placeholder

      John Landgraf

      FX Networks

      CultureEntertainmentArts

    The full episode

    2 of 2
    FX President John Landgraf on Louis CK and Charlie Sheen
    1. 0:00The Hollywood News Banter
    2. 5:47FX President John Landgraf on Louis CK and Charlie SheenYou’re reading this
    Back to The Business