FX has placed an order for 13 epsiodes of a new scripted comedy series LEGIT, starring Australian comedian Jim Jefferies, announced Nick Grad, Executive Vice President of Original Programming for FX.
Co-created by Peter O'Fallon and Jefferies, Legit is about a comedian, "Jim" (Jefferies) and his misguided attempts to become legitimate in life. He is encouraged in his quest by his best friend "Steve" (Dan Bakkedahl), and Steve's brother "Billy" (D.J. Qualls). O'Fallon (The Riches), Jefferies and Rick Cleveland (Nurse Jackie, Mad Men) serve as Executive Producers. Lisa Blum of New Wave Entertainment is also an executive producer. The pilot episode was directed by O'Fallon. The series is produced by FX Productions. The series is scheduled to debut in January of 2013.
"We really love the pilot that Peter and Jim shot," said Grad. "This is going to be a breakout vehicle for Jim. He has such a unique voice which is The Common trait of any great comedian. It just happens to be spoken with an Australian accent."
"I couldn't be happier than getting to do this show," said Jefferies. "FX has set the bar so high with shows like Louie and Sunny, but I believe Peter and I have created something special. The cast is amazing and FX has given us all the freedom we need. I can't wait for people to see it."
O'Fallon added, "I have worked on many shows in many roles, but I have never had more fun on a set or anywhere for that matter than I did working on this show. Jim is one the funniest, smartest men I have ever met. FX, as always, was incredibly helpful and made it the best experience I could have imagined."
FX's comedy roster includes It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Archer, Louie, Wilfred, Brand X with Russell Brand, Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell, and Legit.
Last year, every returning FX original comedy series posted ratings gains versus prior season. Sunny posted its best ratings ever last season and remains the highest-rated comedy in FX history. Wilfred, which debuted in June, was the number-one comedy premiere ever for FX and is the highest-rated first season comedy in FX history. Louie, starring Louis C.K., was named TIME magazine's Best Series of 2011, and received AFI honors as one of the Ten Most Outstanding Programs of 2011, as well as Television Critics Association and Broadcast Television Journalists Association award nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series. Louis C.K. received Emmy(R) Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (an FX first) and also Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. Louis C.K. and Pamela Adlon received a WGA Award nomination in the Comedy Series category.
FX Productions co-produces the award-winning hit drama series Sons of Anarchy and award-winning hit drama series Justified. FXP produces the critically acclaimed hit comedy series It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Louie, Archer, Wilfred, Brand X with Russell Brand, Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell and Legit.
FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable network from Fox. Launched in June of 1994, FX is carried in more than 98 million homes. The diverse schedule includes a growing roster of critically acclaimed and award-winning hit drama and comedy series, arguably the finest library of acquired box-office hit movies, acquired hit series Two and a Half Men and How I Met Your Mother, and live sports with the UFC and NCAA college football. For more information about FX, visit our web site at www.FXnetworks.com.
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