Rawness and Grit on FX

FX, which is part of Fox's Entertainment Group, has a tag line that reads, "There Is No Box". Anyone who has seen Nip/Tuck  or The Shield can believe it. The network is in the same locker room as HBO and Showtime as they create and produce shows that push the bill but pride themselves on rawness and grit. A few years ago, we were away one weekend and caught a few episodes of the first season of Nip/Tuck which was followed by the premiere of a new Dennis Leary Series called Rescue Me. 

The show follows Tommy Gavin (Dennis Leary) a NYC firefighter following the loss of his closes-friend and cousin during the 9-11 attacks. Gavin's life is full of torment and chaos. The writing and acting on this show is captivating. For me it's a dream, I live as the fire-fighter I could never be via Leary and the crew (who have such unique and unforgettable characters) and re-live Seinfeld-like conversations about nonsense. This show is a gem and a TV addiction. The show returns for it's fifth season in January following a delayed release due to the writer's strike earlier this year.

Just last week, we sat down and caught the latest FX show called Sons of Anarchy with Ron Perlman, who got his break as Beast on the 80's hit series Beauty and the Beast which also starred Linda Hamilton (Terminator, T2). Perlman revived his career starring as the title character in the Hellboy films. In Sons he plays the leader of a motorcycle gang

 in a California town. The previews for the show did not intrigue me in the least bit, but after viewing the shows 3 episodes so far I am interested to see how it pans out. It's too early to tell  if the show has the mass appeal like Rescue Me or The Shield, but it does host some good action and bravado by the bikers. A surprise role by Katy Sagal (the mother from 'Married with Children') adds the spice that Joan Collins brought to Dynasty or the Nina Myers character on 24. I did not expect her to be the witch she is, superb acting. Episode 4 aired tonight, we shall see.