FX is officially back in business with Denis Leary, placing a 10-episode order for the comedy series “Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll,” it was announced today by Eric Schrier and Nick Grad, the Presidents of Original Programming for FX Networks and FX Productions. Created by and starring Leary, “Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll” is produced by FX Productions and Fox Television Studios, and will premiere on FX in 2015.
“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 Schrier. “Johnny Rock is the role that Denis Leary was born to play.”
“I am extremely elated at the opportunity to once again be working with John Landgraf and the fine executive talent over at FX,” said 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? In fact, we are the same exact age. I’m just prettier.”
Said Fox Television Studios President David Madden, “We have been honored by long-standing collaborations with both FX and Apostle, so it’s gratifying for us to be able to break new ground with them both. Our partnership with Denis and Apostle has been one of our most fruitful ventures, and this time out fans will definitely see a different Denis. As both actor and writer, Denis plunges into dazzlingly original arenas of dark comedy and, along with a stellar veteran cast, the results are just really funny.”
Starring Leary, John Corbett, Elizabeth Gillies, Elaine Hendrix and Bobby Kelly, SDRR is centered 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 90’s band The Heathens, Johnny was on his way to the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. His best friend Flash (Corbett) was being called the next number one 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 oh yeah – he slept with Flash’s wife. And his bass player’s fiancé. The band broke up the same day their first and only record was released. 25 years later Johnny is trying to get the band back together. Why? Because as his soon-to-be-ex manager Ira Feinbaum tells him: “Johnny, you’re 50, broke and completely anonymous. In rock ‘n roll you know what that makes you? A bartender.”25 years later the sex might be harder to find, the drugs might be Luvox and Crestor and Cialis – but rock ‘n roll will never die. It just has a bigger prostate.
The “Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll” pilot was written by Leary and directed by Michael Blieden. Leary, his company Apostle and partner Jim Serpico are Executive Producers. It is produced by FX Productions and Fox Television Studios. It will be filmed on location in New York City. The show will feature original music and occasional guest appearances by actual rock stars.
Leary starred in the award-winning, acclaimed FX drama “Rescue Me,” which he co-created and served as Executive Producer/Writer of the series that ran for seven seasons and 93 episodes. Serpico served as Executive Producer of “Rescue Me.” Leary, Serpico and Apostle are currently in production on the upcoming USA series, “Sirens,” and they produce the IFC comedy “Maron,” starring Marc Maron. Both “Sirens” and “Maron” also are produced by Fox Television Studios.
