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More than two years after Rescue Me ended its run on FX, star Denis Leary is returning to the cable network.
FX has picked up comedy Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll — created by and starring Leary — to series, the cable network announced Monday.
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Starring Leary, John Corbett, Elizabeth Gillies, Elaine Hendrix and Bobby Kelly, SDRR centers on Johnny Rock (Leary), a middle-aged rock ‘n’ roller who desperately wanted to be rich and famous. So far, he’s 0-for-2. As the magnificently talented lead singer of New York’s legendary early 1990s band The Heathens, Johnny was on his way to the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. His best friend, Flash, was being called the next No. 1 lead guitar player on planet Earth. The critics loved them. Their live shows were selling out. But Johnny had a problem with booze. And coke. And weed. And pills. And cough medicine. And he slept with Flash’s wife as well as his bass player’s fiancee. The band broke up the same day their first and only record was released. Twenty-five years later, Johnny is now trying to get the band back together again because his soon-to-be-ex-manager Ira tells him he’s a broke, anonymous bartender.
The comedy hails from Fox Television Studios and FX Productions and will premiere on FX in 2015. Leary’s Apostle banner partner Jim Serpico executive produces the comedy, which filmed on location in New York City. The project will feature original music and occasional guest appearances by rock stars, FX said. Leary penned the pilot, which was directed by Michael Blieden. Leary and Serpico exec produce.
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“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,” said FX president of original programming Eric Schrier. “Johnny Rock is the role that Denis Leary was born to play.”
Added Leary: “I am extremely elated at the opportunity to once again be working with John Landgraf and the fine executive talent over at FX. 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? In fact, we are the same exact age. I’m just prettier.”
For FX (and sibling FXX), SDRR joins a comedy lineup that includes Archer, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Louie, Wilfred and rookies You’re the Worst, Married and Billy Crystal‘s The Comedians. On the pilot side, SRRR was one of a handful of half-hours in the works. The remaining comedy offerings include Charlie Kaufman‘s How and Why, Simon Rich‘s The Last Girlfriend on Earth, an untitled Zach Galifianakis and Louis C.K. entry as well as animated effort Bigfoot. Tracy Morgan‘s untitled comedy series remains on hold as the comedian continues to recover from a deadly car crash.
For Leary, he’ll now have two comedies on the air — SDRR and USA Network’s Sirens, which he also exec produces. He is repped by WME and Ziffren Brittenham.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit
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