FX Announces Return Dates for "Sons of Anarchy," "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "Nip/Tuck"

Ending several months of rumors, FX has now officially announced the launch dates for its returning series Sons of Anarchy, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and nip/tuck.

Season Two of Sons of Anarchy will kick off on Tuesday, September 8th at 10 pm ET/PT. The second season of the Charlie Hunnam-led series will feature guest turns by Alan Arkin and Henry Rollins.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia returns for a fifth season of madcap adventures on Thursday, September 17th. The twelve-episode season will air Thursday nights at 10 pm ET/PT.

nip/tuck returns for its sixth and penultimate season of ten episodes in October (specific date TBA). Guest stars next season will include Vanessa Redgrave, Rose McGowan, Mario Lopez, Barry Bostwick and Gilles Marini.

Additionally, the network will also launch an as-yet-unannounced new comedy series as a companion to It's Always Sunny on Thursday evenings. (I'd assume, then, that the poorly-received Testees won't be back for another go-around.)

The full press release from FX, announcing the launch dates, can be found below.

FX SETS FALL SCHEDULE

Sons of Anarchy Returns Tuesday, September 8
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Comes Back Thursday, September 17
nip/tuck’s All New 6th Season Returns in October
FX Plans to Launch a New Original Comedy Series This Fall
September-December Features Premieres of Blockbuster Movie Titles

LOS ANGELES, June 30, 2009 – FX, home to critically acclaimed and award-winning original series, has set its fall schedule with the return of three of its hit original series kicking off with the sophomore season of the drama Sons of Anarchy on September 8, followed by the comedy It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia on September 17, and season six of nip/tuck which begins this October. FX also has plans to launch a new original comedy series this fall to pair with It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

In addition to the return of original series, this fall the network features a slate of blockbuster feature film premieres including Ghost Rider, Fantastic Four & The Silver Surfer, Spiderman 3, and Live Free or Die Hard.

Sons of Anarchy returns for its second season (13 episodes) on a new night, Tuesday, beginning September 8 at 10 PM ET/PT. Starring Charlie Hunnam, Katey Sagal and Ron Perlman, Sons is an adrenalized drama with darkly comedic undertones that explores the notorious outlaw motorcycle club’s (SAMCRO) desire to protect its livelihood and the town of Charming, Calif. from outside influences. New guest stars this season include Adam Arkin and Henry Rollins. The first season of Sons of Anarchy averaged 1.2 million Men 18-34 demo on a weekly cumulative basis, making it the #1 scripted show in basic cable in that demo and its cume of 1.9 million Adults 18-34 ranked #3.

The fifth season of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (12 episodes) will run Thursdays at 10 PM ET/PT for crude, controversial, outlandish, and downright hilarious comedy starting on September 17. Rob McElhenney, Glenn Howerton, Charlie Day, Kaitlin Olson and Danny DeVito star as the self-centered owners of Paddy’s Pub in Philadelphia who will do just about anything, no matter how reprehensible, in attempt to better their own situation. The fourth season of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia was #1 in both M18-34 (1.1 million) and A18-34 (1.8 million) on a weekly cumulative average for all live-action scripted comedies in basic cable.

nip/tuck will return for its sixth and penultimate season in October and will consist of 10 new episodes. Starring Dylan Walsh and Julian McMahon as Los Angeles plastic surgeons, the new season will include guest stars Vanessa Redgrave, Rose McGowan, Mario Lopez, Barry Bostwick and Gilles Marini. nip/tuck's 5th season was FX's highest-rated original series with an average weekly audience of 5.1 million A18-49 and 6.5 million total viewers.

Channel Surfing: Brian Austen Green Heads to "Hill," "Who" is Getting Married, Famke Janssen Returns to "Nip/Tuck," and More

Welcome to your Tuesday morning television briefing.

Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello is reporting that Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles' Brian Austen Green is said to be in "advance talks" to join the cast of the CW's One Tree Hill next season. Should the deal close, he'll be playing Clayton, a Jerry Maguire-esque sports agent representing Nathan (James Laferty) on Season Seven of One Tree Hill. "They're ironing out a few issues," an unnamed insider told Ausiello, "but it's pretty much a done deal." The Hollywood Reporter describes the character as "a brash sports agent who represents Nathan Scott's (James Lafferty) basketball interests and has become a close friend, ally, business partner and advisor to him while also enjoying the spoils that come from being a wealthy, handsome single guy." (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

SPOILER! According to a report in Britain's paper The Sun, the final David Tennant Doctor Who special will feature three weddings, with Rose Tyler (Billie Piper), Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman), and Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen) all set to marry. According to unconfirmed reports, Rose would be wedding the half-human duplicate of the Doctor in a parallel universe and Martha would be marrying Rose's former sidekick Mickey Smith (Noel Clarke). As previously reported, Tennant will be dropping by spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures on the eve of Sarah Jane's own wedding. True? Or just wishful thinking? Stay tuned. (The Sun)

Famke Janssen will return to FX drama Nip/Tuck for its seventh and final season. Series creator Ryan Murphy announced that Janssen would reprise her role as transsexual Ava Moore via the series' fan forum. "Just finished the last [Nip/Tuck] script today -- the 100th episode," wrote Murphy in a post to the forum. "The end. Very strange. But I thought I would confirm something here on the forum, since you've all been so great and loyal: Ava Moore (Famke!) returns for the final two episodes." Janssen was last seen on the series in Season Two. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

The Primetime Emmy Awards will shift one week earlier this year, to September 13th. The move comes after CBS announced that they will air an NFL doubleheader that afternoon, which could have affected the start time of the Emmys telecast. Instead, CBS opted not to take a chance and moved the Emmys one week earlier. (Variety's Award Central)

CBS Television Studios has signed a two-year overall deal with Carol Barbee (Jericho, Swingtown), under which she will remain on board as an executive producer/showrunner on CBS' upcoming medical drama Three Rivers. She also executive produced the CW drama The Beautiful Life but will be handing over showrunner reins on that drama to Mike Kelley. (Hollywood Reporter)

NBC's renegotiation talks with Law & Order: Special Victims Unit stars Chris Meloni and Mariska Hartigay are said to be "moving in the right direction," according to Entertainment Weekly's Michael Ausiello. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

Disney Channel has ordered a fourth season of Hannah Montana and renewed Sonny With a Chance for a second season. Production on Season Four of Hannah Montana, which stars Miley Cyrus, is slated for early 2010. (Variety)

Discovery Channel has revived reality franchise Monster Garage and ordered a new Detroit-set series MG: Motor City, the pilot of which "will feature the team taking a Ford Model T and transforming it into a dragster." A deal for a host has yet to be closed. (Broadcasting & Cable)

Just days before the launch of Season Three of Burn Notice, cabler USA has promoted Alex Sepiol to VP of original scripted series programming. Sepiol, who reports to Jackie de Crinis, had overseen production on both Burn Notice and In Plain Sight. (Variety)

Broadcasting & Cable's Claire Atkinson talks with writer/executive producer Ray Romano about his new TNT dramedy Men of a Certain Age, which will launch in December. "We have more freedom with language and content, but there's not a lot of difference really," said Romano about the move to cable. "It's important to keep these guys as real as possible. There's a little less censorship, and you have fewer people with their hands in the mix, which is also good. It's similar except for my salary and the budgets. That's fine, though; I'm not doing it for the money. I don't want to tell them that." (Broadcasting & Cable)

VH1 has ordered a third season of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, featuring Mackenzie Phillips, Dennis Rodman, Tom Sizemore, Heidi Fleiss, Mindi McCready, Lisa D'Amato, Mike Starr, Joey Kovar, and Kari Anne Peniche. Eight episodes are slated to air in early 2010. (Variety)

Stay tuned.

FX Announces Return Date for "Damages," "Nip/Tuck"

I've been on pins and needles awaiting some word from FX about when we'd next get to see Patty Hewes and Ellen Parsons tangle. The wait, Damages viewers, is finally over.

Cabler FX has announced today that Season Two of the Emmy Award-winning legal drama/thriller Damages will kick off on Wednesday, January 7th at 10 pm ET/PT. (Cue me jumping up and down with glee.)

FX has lined up thirteen new episodes for Season Two and the cast for the sophomore season includes Glenn Close, Rose Byrne, William Hurt, Marcia Gay Harden, and Timothy Olyphant.

Take a look at Damages' Season Two promo, set to the music of Duffy's "Stepping Stone," below:



I absolutely cannot wait for this sleek and serpentine series to return to the airwaves, even if I'll have quite the TiVo conundrum as it conflicts with both Bravo's Top Chef and ABC's Dirty Sexy Money (if the latter is still on at that point).

In other news, FX has also announced that Nip/Tuck will return to the schedule with eight new episodes beginning Tuesday, January 6th at 10 pm ET/PT.

The full press release from FX about Damages' and Nip/Tuck's returns can be found after the jump.

FX SETS RETURN DATES FOR NIP/TUCK AND DAMAGES

Basic Cable’s #1 Scripted Drama in Adults 18-34 Nip/Tuck Continues Its Fifth Season on Tuesday, January 6 at 10 PM ET/PT

Emmy® and Golden Globe® Winning Damages Returns For Its Second Season on Wednesday, January 7 at 10 PM


LOS ANGELES, November 12, 2008 – FX announced the return dates of two of its award-winning dramas, Nip/Tuck and Damages. The continuation of the fifth season of Nip/Tuck begins on Tuesday, January 6 at 10 PM E/P for eight weeks, while the second season of Damages premieres on Wednesday, January 7 at 10 PM E/P with 13 new episodes.

Nip/Tuck revolves around the lives of Dr. Sean McNamara (Dylan Walsh) and Dr. Christian Troy (Julian McMahon), two plastic surgeons, close friends and business partners who run McNamara/Troy, an overwhelmingly successful plastic surgery practice.

Earlier this season, Sean and Christian departed Miami for Los Angeles seeking a fresh start for McNamara/Troy in a new city. As season five continues, Sean tries to re-build his life after surviving a brutal attack from Colleen Rose. McNamara/Troy faces an unexpected, serious medical crisis. Christian decides to settle down with one woman and Sean discovers a new love in a moment of extreme vulnerability.

Guest stars include Sharon Gless, Portia de Rossi, AnnaLynne McCord, Bradley Cooper, John Schneider, Jennifer Coolidge, Morgan Fairchild and Katee Sackoff.

Damages, fresh off its Emmy wins for Outstanding Lead Actress (Glenn Close) and Outstanding Supporting Actor (Željko Ivanek), follows the turbulent lives of Patty Hewes (Glenn Close), the nation’s most revered and reviled high-stakes litigator and her bright, ambitious young protégé Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne).

After her unprecedented victory over billionaire Arthur Frobisher (Ted Danson), Patty Hewes has the legal world at her feet. Just as she’s pondering her next move, Daniel Purcell (William Hurt), a man from Patty’s mysterious past, storms back into her life, catapulting Patty into a new legal challenge.

At the same time, Ellen is on a mission to take down Patty. She's agreed to act as an informant for the FBI, assisting them in their criminal investigation of Patty and the firm. As Patty unravels the mystery surrounding Daniel Purcell, she must also negotiate the perilous minefield both inside and outside her office.

In addition to Academy Award® winner William Hurt, Academy Award winner Marcia Gay Harden and Timothy Olyphant join the cast of Damages for its second season.


Nip/Tuck was the #1 scripted drama series on basic cable among Adults 18-34 in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007/2008 to-date. Season five averaged more Women 18-34, Men 18-34, and Men 18-49 viewers than its prior four seasons on a first-run basis with an average of 3.5 million total viewers and 2.7 million Adults 18-49 – a retention of 97% from season three. In a weekly four-telecast cume, the show averaged 6.9 million total viewers and 5.1 million Adults 18-49.

Nip/Tuck was created and is executive produced by Ryan Murphy. Michael M. Robin is executive producer. It is produced by The Shephard-Robin Company in association with Warner Bros. Television Productions Inc.

Damages was recently nominated for seven Emmy Awards, and helped make history by being one of the two first basic cable shows ever nominated for Outstanding Drama Series. Close garnered the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (a basic cable first); Željko Ivanek won for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (a basic cable first) and Ted Danson was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor. The show also earned the most Golden Globe Award nominations (4) of any show on television. Close won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a TV Series – Drama. The show received a nomination for Best TV Series – Drama and supporting stars Ted Danson and Rose Byrne were nominees.

Damages was created by Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler and Daniel Zelman who also serve as executive producers, writers and showrunners. The series is produced by KZK Productions, FX Productions and Sony Pictures Television.

FX is the flagship general entertainment basic cable network from the Fox Networks Group. Launched in June of 1994, FX is carried in more than 94 million homes. The diverse schedule includes a growing roster of critically acclaimed and award-winning original series; an established film library with box-office hits from 20th Century Fox and other studios; and an impressive roster of acquired hit series. For more information about FX, visit our web site at www.FXnetworks.com.

Stay tuned.

Channel Surfing: McGowan Takes Over for Sackhoff, "Heroes," Bruce Campbell, and More

Welcome to your Monday morning television briefing.

Kristen Bell's mentally unstable character Elle Bishop will get her backstory spelled out this season on Heroes. Bell has hinted that Elle may have some previous connections to some of the characters and these may be disclosed during the drama's third season, which kicks off on September 22nd. (Sci Fi Wire)

Rose McGowan (Charmed) will replace Katee Sackhoff (Battlestar Galactica) on an upcoming four episode stint on FX's Nip/Tuck. Sackhoff was due to play Theodora "Teddy" Lowe, a doctor and potential love interest for Sean (Dylan Walsh) but likely had to back out of the role after being cast as the lead in Dick Wolf's NBC drama pilot Lost and Found. (Entertainment Weekly's Ausiello Files)

In other Nip/Tuck news, production begins today on the sixth and final season of the FX drama and the stars' representatives are still said to be "deep in salary renegotiations," with Julian McMahon and Dylan Walsh seeking to double their salaries and other cast members looking for substantial raises. While McMahon failed to show up for wardrobe last week, all cast members are expected to return to work today. (Hollywood Reporter)

Diane Ruggiero (Veronica Mars) has quit her post as showrunner on CBS' upcoming romantic dramedy The Ex List, a move that was said to take both studio 20th Century Fox Television and CBS by surprise. (She'll be replaced by executive producer Rick Eid.) The reason behind her departure? Allegedly, Ruggiero wanted to place her own spin on the series, which is based on an Israeli format; the network, meanwhile, wanted a faithful adaptation. Ruggiero's departure won't affect production. (Variety)

Want to know what's going on with Burn Notice's Bruce Campbell? Look no further than this recent interview in which the former Evil Dead star talks about his Ashland, Oregon lavender farm, his next film (My Name is Bruce), and why he avoided taking regular television work. (New York Times)

FOX is developing an untitled medical drama from writer/executive producer Ian Biederman (Shark) about a female heart surgeon who suffers from schizophrenia. Project comes from 20th Century Fox Television and Imagine TV. (Variety)

Sundance Channel is launching Sundance Selectcs, a pay-per-view service that will showcase independent films that didn't have theatrical releases. Service, launching January 1st, will offer approximately 50 titles per year, a third of which will be non-fiction films. (Los Angeles Times)

Trey Farley (Bend It Like Beckham) will host Sci Fi's upcoming six episode reality competition series Chase (formerly known as Cash or Capture), a "real-life video game tag competition played out in real time throughout Los Angeles landmark locations." Series launches November 11th. (Hollywood Reporter)

Stay tuned.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: The Big Bang Theory/How I Met Your Mother (CBS); Deal or No Deal (NBC); Gossip Girl (CW); Batman Begins (ABC; 8-11 pm); Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (FOX)

9 pm: Two and a Half Men/New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS); America's Toughest Jobs (NBC); One Tree Hill (CW); Prison Break (FOX)

10 pm: CSI: Miami (CBS); Dateline (NBC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: Gossip Girl.

If you haven't read my review of the first three episodes of Gossip Girl's sophomore season, shame on you. Season Two continues tonight with "The Dark Night," in which Serena and Dan find themselves trapped in an elevator during a citywide blackout; Blair questions the lack of passion in her relationship with Marcus; Jenny is caught critiquing one of Eleanor Waldorf's designs.

10 pm: Weeds on Showtime.

On tonight's season finale ("If You Work for a Living, Why Do You Kill Yourself Working?"), Nancy is brought into the DEA for questioning but finds it difficult to explain Esteban; Celia travels into Mexico.

Casting Couch: Walker Flies to "Caprica," Sackhoff Sews Up "Nip/Tuck" Role, Estes Heads to "90210"

Lots of casting news today, on the first Monday after the network upfront presentations.

First up, Sci Fi managed to close the deal on Polly Walker for their two-hour backdoor pilot Caprica, a prequel to their own series Battlestar Galactica. Astute readers of this site will know that I first reported that an offer was out to Walker (Rome) a few weeks ago. Walker will play Sister Clarice Willow, the secretive high priestess/headmistress of the exclusive Athena Academy, a private polytheistic school that Zoe Greystone (Alessandra Toreson) and her friends attend.

I think the casting of Walker is absolutely brilliant for this role and she'll definitely bring something unexpected to the table. Plus, I'm happy she's sticking around in the States after the cancelation of Cane. Walker joins Eric Stolz, Esai Morales, and Paula Malcomson in this spellbinding two-hour backdoor pilot project from executive producers Ronald D. Moore, David Eick, and Remi Aubuchon and director Jeffrey Reiner.

Speaking of the Twelve Colonies, Battlestar Galactica's Katee Sackhoff has been cast in a recurring role on FX's Nip/Tuck, where she will play a doctor who challenges the authority of Sean (Dylan Walsh) in a four-episode arc this season. Good to see that Sackhoff won't be taking time off after the final season of BSG finishes shooting at the end of June.

Over at the CW, 90210 finally has its father figure in Rob Estes (Melrose Place), who has joined the cast as Harry Mills, the pater familias and new principal at West Beverly High School. His character will be married to Lori Loughlin's Celia, a former Olympic medalist, and is the prodigal son to Jessica Walter's aging actress Tabitha Mills.

With the deal closed on Estes, casting on the Beverly Hills 90210 spin-off series--set to launch this fall on the CW--is finally completed.

Stay tuned.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Big Bang Theory/How I Met Your Mother (CBS); American Gladiators (NBC; 8-9:30 pm); Gossip Girl (CW); Dancing With the Stars (ABC); Bones (FOX)

9 pm: Two and a Half Men/Rules of Engagement (CBS); Dateline (NBC; 9:30-11 pm); One Tree Hill (CW); The Bachelorette (ABC; 9-11 pm); House (FOX)

10 pm: CSI Miami (CBS)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: Gossip Girl.

The freshman season of the naughty teen soap concludes tonight! On tonight's season finale ("Much 'I Do' About Nothing"), Blair comes to Serena's defense and faces off with Georgina Sparks (Michelle Trachtenberg); Lily prepares for her wedding but can't stop thinking about Rufus; and Serena finally tells Dan what's really going on with her.

FX Unveils Launch Date for "Nip/Tuck"

Wondering just when FX will launch Season Five of its plastic surgery drama Nip/Tuck? (Or at least when they'll stop running those slightly creepy commercials with the Hollywood sign and that eerie cover of Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game"?) Look no further.

FX has announced that it will launch Nip/Tuck's fifth season--featuring Christian and Sean making the move to beauty-obsessed Los Angeles--on October 30th at 10 pm.

Season Five will feature Portia de Rossi, Rosie O'Donnell (returning as Dawn Budge), Bradley Cooper, Oliver Platt, and Lauren Hutton in guest roles.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Power of 10 (CBS); Most Outrageous Moments (NBC); America's Next Top Model (CW); According to Jim/According to Jim (ABC); 'Til Death/'Til Death (FOX)

9 pm: Criminal Minds (CBS); Last Comic Standing (NBC); America's Next Top Model (CW); Just for Laughs/Just for Laughs (ABC); Bones (FOX)

10 pm: CSI: New York (CBS); Dateline (NBC); NASCAR in Primetime (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

10 pm: Top Chef on Bravo.

Doesn't it seem like forever since we had a new episode of this culinary competition? On tonight's episode ("Chef Overboard"), the remaining chefs face off in a supermarket-based challenge and then head to the high seas, where they must arrange a buffet meal. A buffet while getting buffeted by waves? This I want to see.

Dawn Budge Returns to "Nip/Tuck," Spinoff Possible?

Looking for more of Dawn Budge, the character that Rosie "I Had a Meltdown on The View and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt" O'Donnell originated last season on Nip/Tuck?

During their TCA panel yesterday, FX announced that Dawn Budge and O'Donnell would be returning for a whole slew of Nip/Tuck episodes during the series' fifth season, beginning with Episode Four.

Apparently, O'Donnell's character (the one she plays on Nip/Tuck rather than the haiku-spouting blowhard she's been playing in real life) has proven so popular that there's a possibility that she could expand beyond Nip/Tuck. "The character was so instantly popular," said creator Ryan Murphy. "We've spoken about [a spinoff]; it's an ongoing discussion."

But before you start hawking Dawn Budge merchandise on Cafepress (I see you lurking over there), one caveat: O'Donnell is getting offers left and right to do anything and everything, including a new daytime talk show. So the possibility of a Dawn Budge-led spinoff is just that: a mere whiff of possibility.

In other FX news, the cable net unveiled the launch date for Season Three of its comedy It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which kicks off on September 13th at 10 pm.

Casting Couch: More Richardson on "Nip/Tuck" While Peregrym Not Grim on "Reaper"

Nip/Tuck fans wondering just what happened to Julia won't have to wait very long to find out.

After months of speculation about whether actor Joely Richardson would return to the drama series, FX has announced that it has concluded a deal that will bring Richardson back for 15 of the 22 episodes of Season Five.

Richardson, who appeared in 11 of 15 episodes of Nip/Tuck last season, had made comments that she would be departing the series in order to spend time with her family, including her daughter, who was believed to be seriously ill. However, Richardson's daughter has since appeared to have recovered.

As for Richardson's character, Julia, she was last seen moving to New York with her daughter Annie and son Conor in the season finale. Just how the series' writers will get Julia and the kids to Los Angeles, site of the new McNamara/Troy offices remains to be seen.

In other casting news, the CW has announced that it has recast the female lead on fall dramedy series Reaper.

Missy Peregrym (Heroes) will play Bret Harrison's adorable co-worker whom he has a crush on; she replaces Nikki Reed, who played the role in the original pilot.

Peregrym is familiar to many Heroes fans as shapeshifter/illusionist Candice Wilmer; she also appeared on Life As We Know It.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: The New Adventures of Old Christine/The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS); Age of Love (NBC); Everybody Hates Chris/All of Us (CW); Wife Swap (ABC); Family Guy/Family Guy (FOX)

9 pm: Two and a Half Men/How I Met Your Mother (CBS); Age of Love (NBC); Girlfriends/The Game (CW); Ex-Wives Club (ABC); Hell's Kitchen (FOX)

10 pm: CSI: Miami (CBS); Science of Love (NBC); Supernanny (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

9 pm: Big Love on HBO.

HBO's polygamist family drama Big Love is back. On tonight's episode ("Reunion"), Bill and Nicky travel to Juniper Creek for a family reunion... and are reunited with Bill's uncle Eddie, while Barb catches Margene and Ben in, er, a rather compromising position.

9 pm: Hell's Kitchen.

No, I don't know why I am still watching this train wreck of a culinary competition. On tonight's installment, a team's failure to identify even the most pedestrian of foods during a blind test test lead a furious Gordon to arrange a rather stomach-turning test.

Casting Couch: Marshall Scrubs in for "Nip/Tuck"

Sean McNamara is about to get a new love interest.

FX has announced that it has cast Paula Marshall (Veronica Mars) in at least four episodes of drama Nip/Tuck next season. It's unclear what her character will be, but it's understood that Marshall will be playing a new love interest for Sean (Dylan Walsh).

Also on the docket: pay increases for Walsh and co-star Julian McMahon, who are set to return for a fifth season of Nip/Tuck, which began filming earlier this week, albeit with significant salary bumps.

Both have received seven-figure bonuses on top of their 5% increases, bringing their wages to roughly $3 million or $125,000 an episode, giving each of them a 25% increase from Season Four.

Nip/Tuck's fourth season ended with with Sean and Christian pulling up stakes and heading out to Los Angeles, where they have opened a new practice in a city where appearances are the only real currency.

Ryan Murphy and Brad Pitt to Wrangle "4 oz." for FX

Nip/Tuck creator Ryan Murphy and producer Brad Pitt have sold a new drama, 4 oz., to cabler FX that will chart the ongoing metamorphosis of a married sportswriter and father of teenage sons who decides that he wants to live his life as a woman.

According to Murphy, the series will have a natural five-season arc for the series that will also focus on the married transsexual's teenage sons. Says Murphy: "The first season deals with the revelation of his secret. In the second season, he begins dressing like a woman. The third covers the surgery, and his inherent doubts about going through with it, and by the fourth season, he's living as a woman and attempting to find love."

And in case you couldn't figure out that wacky title, the measurement refers to the average weight of a penis, according to Murphy. Hmmm, given the surgical subject matter, think there's any possibility for a crossover with the gang at McNamara/Troy?