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Rescue Me and Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll vets Jim Serpico and Tom Sellitti have signed a first-look deal with FX Productions. Under the pact, the duo will develop new television projects for FX Networks and other outlets via their newly established production company Milestone TV & Film.

The move follows the recent end of a successful 25-year partnership with Denis Leary and Apostle for the duo. As producers, writers, and directors, the three produced television series across networks, as well as films. Currently, Serpico and Sellitti are producing Leary’s USA drama pilot Erase along with Alex Cary.

“We’ve had an amazing adventure helping to build Apostle from the ground up and we’re proud of all that we have accomplished,” said Serpico. “Denis remains a trusted collaborator and friend. Moving forward, Tom and I are thrilled to be partnering with FX Productions, a place we’ve always considered home.

Donald Faison (Ray Donovan) and Eric Nelsen (A Walk Among the Tombstones) have been cast in key series regular roles opposite Denis Leary and Callie Thorne in Erase, USA Network’s crime thriller-with-a-twist drama pilot.

Created by Leary and Alex Cary, Erase is the story of Donal O’Neal (Leary), a dirty ex-cop who decides to do the right thing and bring down his complicit superior officers. In this gritty crime thriller, laced with elements of black comedy, Donal races against time to repair the damage he’s done to his estranged family while trying to avoid being killed by his enemies.

Faison will play Raffi Dumauge, Donal’s (Leary) ex-partner and closest friend. Now retired from the NYPD, he has reinvented himself as a family man.

Nelsen will portray Sean O’Neal, Donal’s (Leary) son who works as a DJ a couple nights a week, surrounded by booze...

The Arrangement alum Christine Evangelista is set to co-star opposite Denis Leary and Callie Thorne in Erase, USA Network’s crime thriller-with-a-twist drama pilot.

Created by Leary and Alex Cary, Erase is the story of Donal O’Neal (Leary), a dirty ex-cop who decides to do the right thing and bring down his complicit superior officers. In this gritty crime thriller, laced with elements of black comedy, Donal races against time to repair the damage he’s done to his estranged family while trying to avoid being killed by his enemies.

Evangelista will play Noreen Rodriguez, Donal and Donna’s (Thorne) eldest child. She is a smart and ethical cop who inherited a moral compass from her mother and wants nothing to do with her father.

Leary and Cary executive produce, along with Jim Serpico and Tom Sellitti for Universal Cable Prods.

Evangelista recently starred in two seasons of E!

Denis Leary’s “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll” co-star Elaine Hendrix has joined the cast of his USA pilot “Erase.”

Co-created by Leary and “Homeland” vet Alex Cary, the dark comedy follows Donal O’Neal (Leary), a dirty ex-cop who decides to do the right thing and bring down his complicit superior officers.

Hendrix will star in the pilot as Bella Tanne, a fling from Donal’s past. She is described as “daring, fun, flirtatious and big hearted. Bring her a problem and she’ll find a solution.”

Also Read: 'Bourne' Spinoff Series Among 4 New Pilots Ordered by USA Network

The role reunites Hendrix with Leary, with whom she co-starred for two seasons on the FX musical comedy “Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll,” also as a couple. Callie Thorpe, who co-starred with Leary on “Rescue Me,” will also reunite with the actor in the pilot.

Hailing from Universal Cable Productions,...

Exclusive: It’s not officially the start of the Heathens getting back together but Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll alum Elaine Hendrix is reuniting with Mr. Johnny Rock himself Denis Leary in USA Network’s Erase pilot.

Having played Rock’s long-time love and Heathens’ back-up singer Ava Delany for two seasons with Leary on the FX music comedy, Hendrix has just sealed her deal to portray Bella Tanne on the Universal Cable Prods effort, I’ve learned.

Set as a series regular, The Parent Trap actor’s character is described as a one night or two night stand from the past of former slimy cop Donal O’Neal, played by Leary. Conceived and written for Hendrix by Leary, Tanne is a fun, loving and true problem solver, which is what a desperately running out of time O’Neal needs more than ever in Erase, which USA order in April.

Created...

Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll co-star Robert Kelly is reuniting with the series’ creator-star Denis Leary and his Apostle production company for another FX comedy series project. The cable network is developing a half-hour series starring actor-comedian Kelly, from Leary & Jim Serpico’s Apostle. In addition to starring, Kelly will co-write the autobiographical project with Apostle principals Serpico and Tom Sellitti. The comedy stems from Kelly’s recent life experiences beating…...

This month, FX aired something insane and magic and impossible to describe. It came courtesy of a show you are likely not watching – unless you’re a diehard fan of Denis Leary and/or single-camera comedies about rock music. It stars an artist whose contributions to film, television and theater are prolific and vast, who performs an homage to Broadway’s most game-changing musical of the last several decades.

Read More: Denis Leary Explains How ‘Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll’ Season 2 Blossomed With A Woman’s Touch

Really, the only way to explain it is simply to show you — so below, please watch Campbell Scott (as “himself”) perform the climatic track of “Feast,” the “Hamilton”-inspired musical-within-a-show created this season for “Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll.”

Yes. Campbell Scott is rapping.

How did this happen? Indeed, it started with “Hamilton” — but David Bowie also had a lot to do with it.

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“Sex...

Benders IFC Premieres: Oct. 1 Airs: Thursdays at 10pm Et/Pt Who’s In It? Andrew Schulz, Lindsey Broad, Chris Distefano, Mark Gessner, Ruy Iskandar Also See: Gigi Does It: David Krumholtz is a 76-year-old woman in IFC’s new comedy Bar-league sports are a comedy gold mine, and IFC’s new scripted comedy Benders digs deep into the world of Boston buddies who are obsessed with their very amateur ice hockey team. Co-creator Tom Sellitti says Benders and its stories were inspired by his own experiences on the ice. “We had a jersey that we were getting, and it was supposed to be … Continue reading →

The post IFC pucks around with ice hockey buddy comedy “Benders” appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.

FX has renewed Dennis Leary series “Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll” for a second season, the network announced Wednesday. The series, created by and starring Leary, will return for a 10-episode Season 2 in 2016. “We are thrilled with Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll and it proved to one of the highest-rated new comedies on cable this year,” said Eric Schrier, president of original programming in a statement. “We thank Denis and the rest of the cast, along with Jim Serpico and Tom Sellitti, for a terrific first season and look forward to indulging in more ‘Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll’ in season two.” Also...

While there are several new series premiering this fall on Mondays (check out Deepayan Sengupta’s roundup here) and Tuesdays (check out my roundup here), there are only a handful of new Wednesday and Thursday offerings. Here’s what to look out for, and what to avoid, this fall on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Rosewood

Created by Todd Harthan

Premieres Wednesday, September 23rd at 8pm (Et) on Fox

Private pathologist Dr. Beaumont Rosewood Jr. (Morris Chestnut) is a popular guy, with everyone but Det. Annalise Villa (Jaina Lee Ortiz), the decorated police officer who’s recently returned to her hometown of Miami. Rosewood—Rosie to his friends—is a brilliant pathologist who runs a state-of-the-art lab with his sister Pippy (Gabrielle Dennis) and her fiancée, Tara Milly Izikoff (Anna Konkle). With his keen eye for detail and winning personality, Rosie is an asset Det. Villa can’t afford to waste, despite...

Read More: IFC Responds to Abel Ferrara About the Unapproved Cut of 'Welcome to New York' IFC hopes to find the back of the net with "Benders," whether it be with hockey fans or not. The company has acquired the new half-hour comedy for their original programming lineup later this year. The show follows a group of friends so obsessed with their amateur hockey league that it starts interfering in their everyday lives. even though... well, they're not that good. Production on the first eight episodes begins later this spring under Apostle. Denis Leary, Jim Serpico and Tom Sellitti are executive producers. Serpico and Sellitti created the series. "We cherish our relationship with IFC," Serpico said in a statement. "We’re thrilled to be bringing our dysfunctional band of characters to life on their network." "Benders" is only the latest in IFC's expanding list of comedies premiering this year,...

The Denis Leary-produced hockey comedy “Benders” has been ordered to series at IFC, the network announced Tuesday. The show follows several friends bound by an irrational obsession for their beer-swilling amateur hockey league. Their skills may be limited but their passion is not, as evidenced by the chaos hockey creates in their everyday lives. This isn’t fast-paced, brawler-style hockey; it’s the slow motion, falling-down version. IFC has ordered eight half-hour episodes that will be produced by Apostle, with Jim Serpico, Tom Sellitti and Denis Leary serving as executive producers. Serpico and Sellitti created and will write the series.

Denis Leary’s upcoming comedy show, Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll, has been ordered to series by FX, with 10 episodes now in the pipeline. Written by Leary and directed by Michael Blieden (Children’s Hospital), the show follows Johnny Rock (Leary) – an aging rocker, desperately chasing one last shot at fame and fortune.

The show sets up his character as someone who, back in the early 1990s, led a band called The Heathens to the height of the New York rock scene. He was headed for greatness, along with best friend and lead guitarist Flash (John Corbett), until he precipitated their downfall with his predilection for drugs, alcohol and the wives of his friends. We learn that the band released one record and broke up on the same day. Two decades later, Johnny has reunion on his mind.

Starring Elizabeth Gillies (Victorious), Elaine Hendrix (See Dad Run) and Bobby Kelly (Louie...

Fans of Rescue Me, and/or Denis Leary, have something to be happy about as FX orders a new series, Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll, from the comedian.

This one is quite a different effort from the surprisingly dramatic Rescue Me, but looks as though it is going to mix a lot of elements. Leary is likely just the guy who can deliver an aging, washed out musician who barely had a career in the first place, and is now trying to make something happen for himself. That’s especially true if this is angling for a comedy that can also deliver some weightier moments, which looks to be the case.

Catch all the info below, and let me know what you think. Will you be tuning in?

Reunited And It Feels So Good

FX Orders 10 Episodes of Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll Created by and Starring Denis Leary

Leary, Jim Serpico...

Denis Leary is returning to FX! The network has ordered 10 episodes of his comedy Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll.

"It's great to be back in business with Denis Leary, Jim Serpico and Tom Sellitti, and we're thrilled to start on a new project that is both unique and hilarious," Eric Schrier, president of original programming for FX Networks, said.  "Johnny Rock is the role that Denis Leary was born to play."   

Read More >...

FX is continuing its aggressive recent push into comedy with a series order for Denis Leary's typographically controversial "Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll." The "Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll" -- no spaces, silly FX -- order is for 10 episodes, with the series set to premiere in 2015. Nearly everybody involved wanted to have comments in the official press release. "I am extremely elated at the opportunity to once again be working with John Landgraf and the fine executive talent over at FX," blurbs Leary. "They have a great platform for comedy, an award-winning marketing team and an amazing new Nespresso machine in the conference room. The Gran Maestria C520 Platinum? Get this: it heats the cup! Also, doing this show with FX will allow me to live one of my last show-business dreams: Emmy-winner Peter Tolan will be playing my gay stepdad. I know what you're thinking - isn't Peter just a few years older than Denis?...

FX is getting back into business with Rescue Me co-creator/star Denis Leary. The cable network has handed a pilot order to comedy Bronx Warrants. Created by Dean Lorey (Arrested Development), it is based on the real life exploits of David Joglar and Richard Wetzel. Bronx Warrants is a comedy revolving around a group of errant warrant detectives in the Bronx assigned to arrest individuals with outstanding warrants. With bonuses paid out for each “body” they bring in, the detectives are out to get rich rather than dole out justice. Lorey, Leary and Jim Serpico serve as executive producers; Tom Sellitti is co-executive Producer, Joglar and Wetzel are co-producers. Bronx Warrants is produced by FX Prods. “Dean Lorey has taken this unique police squad and created a hilarious and surprising world of characters and situations,” said Eric Schrier, Head of Series Development for FX and Evp of FX Prods. Leary,...

Comedy writer-producers John Beck and Ron Hart have set up two multicamera comedies.

At Fox, the pair has "Extended Family"; at TV Land, they have "Many Wives of Jon."

The projects, both with script commitments, are based on Beck's real-life experiences.

"Family," from Sony TV and Apostle, centers on a blue-collar mom in charge of foster kids. It is inspired by Beck's childhood, when his mother took in foster children to live with them.

"It's like 'Roseanne' meets 'Malcolm in the Middle,' " Hart said.

Beck and Hart found support for the idea in Apostle senior vp Tom Sellitti, who also grew up as the biological child in a household full of foster kids.

"Wives" revolves around a young couple and how their lives change when the wife's family moves in with them. It is based on a period in Beck's life when his wife's mother, sister and 5-year-old...

Comedy Central is launching a series of animated interstitials produced by Denis Leary and Jim Serpico's production company, Apostle Pictures, that will feature stand-up comedians Dane Cook, Greg Fitzsimmons, Janeane Garofalo, Jay Mohr, Patrice O'Neal, Jeffrey Ross and Leary. The clips, which vary in length from 15-60 seconds, are full or shortened versions of spots from House Arrest, Apostle's animated half-hour pilot for the cable network, which is a serious contender for a series pickup. They will start running Thursday and will be featured at least once an hour in all dayparts through May and June. House Arrest, created by Eric Brown, Tom Sellitti and Serpico, stars Chico and Beanie, two twentysomething underachievers who, adhering to Chico's mandatory house-arrest sentence, ride the couch and watch animated interstitials -- visual illustrations of jokes by stand-up comedians.