BENDIS!
11-12-2007, 12:55 PM
FX drama `Damages' wins two-year renewal By FRAZIER MOORE, AP Television Writer
19 minutes ago
NEW YORK - Even after its season finale last month, "Damages" left viewers in suspense: Would this crafty legal thriller be renewed?
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Fans were rewarded with good news Monday: The FX network announced it will bring the freshman series back for not one, but two more 13-episode seasons. Glenn Close, who stars as high-stakes litigator Patty Hewes, as well as Rose Byrne and Tate Donovan are signed to return as series regulars.
Production of the New York-based drama is scheduled to resume early next year, although the TV writers strike could delay that plan.
Premiering in July, the first season of "Damages" tracked a twisted class-action lawsuit against a corrupt industrialist played by Ted Danson, while also solving a juicy murder mystery involving Hewes' protege (Byrne).
It won critical praise and a rapt audience — but a limited one. In the key 18-to-49 demographic, episodes averaged 2.5 million viewers. This figure was further reduced by the high portion, about 22 percent, of "Damages" viewers watching on a DVR-delayed basis, thus less sellable to advertisers.
"The DVR is putting enormous financial pressure on all original scripted series right now," said FX president John Landgraf, "because you lose a significant chunk of the people who are actually watching your show, from what you can sell."
The fate of "Damages" hung in the balance for weeks, with FX finally deciding to rule in its favor.
"It's a show whose creative reputation is destined to grow with time," said Landgraf, voicing hopes that critics' year-end Top 10 lists, Golden Globes attention and Emmy nominations would help build a larger audience next season.
"There's a possibility that people will catch up with the show on DVD in the offseason," he added. "Many people just might feel they missed something, since word-of-mouth is so strong."
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19 minutes ago
NEW YORK - Even after its season finale last month, "Damages" left viewers in suspense: Would this crafty legal thriller be renewed?
ADVERTISEMENT
Fans were rewarded with good news Monday: The FX network announced it will bring the freshman series back for not one, but two more 13-episode seasons. Glenn Close, who stars as high-stakes litigator Patty Hewes, as well as Rose Byrne and Tate Donovan are signed to return as series regulars.
Production of the New York-based drama is scheduled to resume early next year, although the TV writers strike could delay that plan.
Premiering in July, the first season of "Damages" tracked a twisted class-action lawsuit against a corrupt industrialist played by Ted Danson, while also solving a juicy murder mystery involving Hewes' protege (Byrne).
It won critical praise and a rapt audience — but a limited one. In the key 18-to-49 demographic, episodes averaged 2.5 million viewers. This figure was further reduced by the high portion, about 22 percent, of "Damages" viewers watching on a DVR-delayed basis, thus less sellable to advertisers.
"The DVR is putting enormous financial pressure on all original scripted series right now," said FX president John Landgraf, "because you lose a significant chunk of the people who are actually watching your show, from what you can sell."
The fate of "Damages" hung in the balance for weeks, with FX finally deciding to rule in its favor.
"It's a show whose creative reputation is destined to grow with time," said Landgraf, voicing hopes that critics' year-end Top 10 lists, Golden Globes attention and Emmy nominations would help build a larger audience next season.
"There's a possibility that people will catch up with the show on DVD in the offseason," he added. "Many people just might feel they missed something, since word-of-mouth is so strong."
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