FXX so much wants It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia to be a part of its primetime programming for the next three years, that it not only renewed the sitcom for seasons 11-12 already, but also ordered an untitled Tracy Morgan sitcom straight to series with 10 episodes because the It’s Always Sunny guys created it.
“The Untitled Tracy Morgan Project” will debut in January 2015, alongside season 10 of It’s Always Sunny. RCG Productions, named for Sunny stars Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton, created the untitled sitcom vehicle for Morgan and will executive produce it with showrunner Luvh Rahke.
“Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton are three of the most talented comedy writers and producers in our business, not to mention very gifted actors,” said Nick Grad, FX Networks President of Original Programming. “This deal is a testament to their skill, intelligence and work ethic, which combined to earn them one of the best overall deals in TV. Not bad for three guys who shot a pilot ten years ago for $200 and a few pizzas.”
Seasons 11 and 12 in 2016-2017 will make It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia the longest-running live-action comedy series in cable history. Take that, network sitcoms and animation.
With so little reported about Morgan’s new sitcom, what we do know is that it comes as sweet consolation for FX passing on his previous pilot for them, Do or Die (also previously referred to as Death Pact).
But there’s more to the deal between FX Productions and RCG Productions. To wit:
- A comedy pilot order to be named later
- A script order for Harder, written by Scott Marder and Glenn Howerton
- A script order for We’re Good, Thanks, written by Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Artemis Pebdani and Charlie Day, with Ellis and Pebdani attached to star
- And a script order for Blow Up Dolls, written by and starring Sarah Solemani
Eric Schrier of FX Productions said in making the announcement: “We’ve had a wonderful partnership with Rob, Charlie and Glenn and over the past ten years. They are fantastic and prolific producers, writers and actors, and it’s great to continue to support their talents for many years to come.”
FXX original programming currently also includes:
Legit, starring Jim Jefferies, in the middle of its second season now.
The League — with Nick Kroll, Paul Scheer, Mark Duplass, Stephen Rannazzisi, Jon Lajoie and Katie Aselton — will return with its sixth season later this year during football season.
On the mothership FX channel, Louis C.K.’s Louie returns next month. FX also has long-running animated spycapade Archer, talking dog series Wilfred, animated rapper Chozen, plus three new series in the offing — The Comedians starring Billy Crystal and Josh Gad, Married starring Nat Faxon, Judy Greer and Brett Gelman, and You’re the Worst starring Aya Cash and Chris Geere.
Six other sitcom pilots remain in the works for FX/FXX: Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll created by and starring Denis Leary; and The Untitled Zach Galifianakis Project created by and starring Galifianakis, How and Why created by Charlie Kaufman and starring John Hawkes, Michael Cera and Sally Hawkins; Man Seeking Woman from Simon Rich and starring Jay Baruchel; and the animated comedy series Bigfoot from Seth Rogen and produced by Rogen and Adam Reed and Matt Thompson.