View Full Version : FX, One Of The Best Networks On TV, Used To Be One Of The Most Spectacularly Lame
http://www.uproxx.com/tv/2013/07/fx-one-of-the-best-networks-on-television-used-to-be-one-of-the-most-spectacularly-lame/
FX hasn’t always been the network we know and love today. This is true of most networks, of course. TLC used to be about learning. The History Channel used to be about History. And AMC used to air exclusively American Movie Classics. But few networks have transformed for the positive in as dramatic a fashion as FX. The network has been around since 1994, but it didn’t start to become the channel that most of us recognize until it launched The Shield in 2002, the Shawn Ryan cop drama that would essentially revolutionize basic cable. Before that, FX was mostly Married with … Children, Ally McBeal, Hooperman, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer reruns, movies, and NASCAR.
But even before the reruns and NASCAR took over, FX — or the more relaxed and friendly “fX,” as it was known then — had original programming, just not of the sort we are accustomed to now. It was broadcast out of a large apartment in Manhattan, and featured the likes of Jeff Probst and Tom Bergeron. It’s tagline was “TV Made Fresh Daily.” As a reader, Eric also points out, fX was anchored by a morning show called Breakfast Time. It starred Tom Bergeron, Laurie Hibberd, and A PUPPET NAMED BOB.
You MUST see the promo poster.
Yup. That’s a show that started out on the same network that now airs Justified, Sons of Anarchy and The Bridge.
fX also helped to launch the career of other personalities, who were roving reporters on Breakfast Time. People who got their starts on fX include the likes Phil Keoghan (The Amazing Race host), Orlando Jones (forever the 7UP guy), and Jeff Probst (pre-Rock & Roll Jeopardy), who reminds us in the fX promo below that the network is “TV for you and your father in mind.” Of course it is.
Read more: http://www.uproxx.com/tv/2013/07/fx-one-of-the-best-networks-on-television-used-to-be-one-of-the-most-spectacularly-lame/#ixzz2Yfg32ILt
Mr. Television 07-10-2013, 03:45 PM The network was a lot better in the old days. Great classic shows. The only show I even watch on FX now is Justified. I don't care what the critics say. I tried to give the Americans a chance. I gave up on it. It's impossible to root for Communists. I did love The Shield but that was the only show I watched on FX at that time. One show at a time doesn't make a good network.
Torgo 07-10-2013, 06:38 PM I miss the old FX.
Retro4Life 07-10-2013, 06:45 PM The network was a lot better in the old days. Great classic shows. The only show I even watch on FX now is Justified. I don't care what the critics say. I tried to give the Americans a chance. I gave up on it. It's impossible to root for Communists. I did love The Shield but that was the only show I watched on FX at that time. One show at a time doesn't make a good network.
Yep, I remember the days of Batman and Greatest American Hero and Wonder Woman with Jeff Probst hosting the little bits between the shows. Now it's just like every other cable channel; no character or personality at all, one or two 'signature' shows to brag about and nothing else.
mets82 07-10-2013, 09:48 PM You know I used to watch Married With Children and Beverly Hills 90210 as well as baseball. I dont watch FX anymore as the shows or at least the original shows they have do not interest me.
I have seen clips of how FX started on youtube. Very interesting. Btw, isn't FX changing its name as of August 17, when Fox Sports 1 debuts?
Mr. Television 07-10-2013, 10:17 PM You know I used to watch Married With Children and Beverly Hills 90210 as well as baseball. I dont watch FX anymore as the shows or at least the original shows they have do not interest me.
I have seen clips of how FX started on youtube. Very interesting. Btw, isn't FX changing its name as of August 17, when Fox Sports 1 debuts?
No they're adding a comedy spinoff network called FXX. FX will remain the same except their comedy shows will go to the other network.
tlc38tlc38 07-11-2013, 07:36 AM The only thing I ever watched on FX was "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" back when actual new episodes were being produced on UPN (seasons 6 & 7). FX is how and where I actually got hooked on Buffy. I used to watch the back-to-back episodes in the mornings and evenings. And, to this day, I'm still a Buffy freak! Can't wait for season 10!! (in comic form, of course)
cherryade 07-11-2013, 11:19 AM No they're adding a comedy spinoff network called FXX. FX will remain the same except their comedy shows will go to the other network.
It's not a comedy-drama split, it's a demographic split. FX will target to 25-54 while FXX will target 18-34.
Sitcoms like Anger Management, Mike & Molly, Two and a Half Men and the new Grammer/Lawrence 10-90 sitcom will stay on FX while Always Sunny, Arrested Development, Parks and Recreation, The League, HIMYM etc will air on FXX.
The odd ones out are Archer and Louie, which are staying on FX for now.
Mr. Television 07-11-2013, 12:26 PM It's not a comedy-drama split, it's a demographic split.
Shows aimed at 18-34 are moving to FXX and FX will appeal to 25-54.
Sitcoms like Anger Management, Mike & Molly, Two and a Half Men and the new Grammer/Lawrence 10-90 sitcoms will stay on FX while Always Sunny, Arrested Development, Parks and Recreation, The League, HIMYM etc will air on FXX.
The odd ones out are Archer and Louie, which are staying on FX for now.
I stand corrected although the new FXX Network will primarily be a comedy network at least at first.
http://www.esquire.com/blogs/culture/what-fx-looked-like
Before they were reality TV hosts, Bergeron and Keoghan were on FX’s “Breakfast Time."
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#7drOzVhXdpq0C8Ee.99
Kasey 06-07-2014, 10:45 AM I couldn't disagree more. There's zilch I would watch on it now. Back when it launched they ran shows that had been hiding away for ages (and some that had never been on cable before): Batman, Wonder Woman, Vega$, Eight is Enough, Family Affair, Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Dynasty, Greatest American Hero, etc.
Mr. Television 06-07-2014, 10:49 AM I couldn't disagree more. There's zilch I would watch on it now. Back when it launched they ran shows that had been hiding away for ages (and some that had never been on cable before): Batman, Wonder Woman, Vega$, Eight is Enough, Family Affair, Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Dynasty, Greatest American Hero, etc.
I agree. FX JTS years ago.
EmoJoe 06-08-2014, 12:30 AM FX is a great network. Just because they don't show classic sitcoms anymore doesn't mean they suck.
I agree that we need a network that gives classic television the respect it deserves, but I don't think every television network that has moved away from that model should be disparaged. It's obviously not a very sustainable business model - which is a shame, really.
mets82 06-09-2014, 04:35 PM Honestly, I havent watched FX and FXX in years. Once in a while, I'll watch because they usually run The Simpsons Movie but thats it. I used to watch 90210 and Married with Children on FX.
TKMetal 06-09-2014, 09:57 PM Was this written by the current FX execs?
Buffyboy323 06-10-2014, 03:06 PM The only thing I ever watched on FX was "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" back when actual new episodes were being produced on UPN (seasons 6 & 7). FX is how and where I actually got hooked on Buffy. I used to watch the back-to-back episodes in the mornings and evenings. And, to this day, I'm still a Buffy freak! Can't wait for season 10!! (in comic form, of course)
Ahhh, yes!! The old days! I remember being so excited about the debut on FX, and watching Buffy every night! Tuesday nights were especially great, three hours of Buffy!! (This was before DVD's and Netflix, of course). The reruns did well for years.
At the turn of the century, FX also aired two more of my all time favorites; Beverly Hills, 90210 and Married...With Children.
After that, I watched the random King of the Hill and That '70s Show rerun, though I'm not a big fan of either.
It's always Sunny In Philadelphia is one of their better original series. American Horror Story was my favorite show last season.
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