'Damages' Isn't Done; 'Closer' Special in December

By LillyKat
PTR Staff Writer

We interupt the coverage and possibly being flamed for the support of the strike by the Writers Guild of America to bring you an update on two PTR faves: The Closer and Damages.

---------------

The Closer

"Thank yewww, thank yewww sooo much!"

Our second favorite (er, tied for first) homicide detective Brenda Leigh Johnson will get back to business on December 3rd at 8 p.m. in a special two-hour edition of The Closer on TNT.

Now, if any of you watched last year's special (recapped here at PTR), you know it was chocked full of great moments. These December specials do not disappoint, so be sure to tune in for holiday fun with Brenda, Fritz and the gang (or at least make sure your Tivo is fired up and ready to record)!

-----

Damages

Ellen v. Patty.

Round 2.

And Round 3.

Thank you, FX.

After some will we / won’t we / can we / should we / we have to don’t we / debate, Damages has been renewed for not one but two more full seasons (26 episodes).

How’s that for an early Christmas present?

Now, if we only could get the writer’s strike resolved so those fabulous Damages scribes can get back to creating some of the best written stuff on television.

Hmmm, maybe we should send in Patty to help?

* * * * *

From: The Hollywood Reporter

Nov. 12, 2007

'Damages' inflicted on FX
Cabler has record 6 dramas going
By Kimberly Nordyke

FX is bringing back "Damages," and how.

The cable network has ordered two more seasons -- or 26 episodes -- of the drama series from KZK Prods., Sony Pictures Television and FX Prods. Stars Glenn Close, Rose Byrne and Tate Donovan are signed on as series regulars for both seasons.

"Damages" wrapped its first season Oct. 23, averaging a multi-telecast weekly cume of 5.1 million total viewers and 2.5 million adults 18-49, according to Nielsen Media Research. On a first-run basis, the series averaged 2.5 million total viewers, including 1.1 million in the demo, per episode.

Season 2 is targeted to enter production in New York early next year, pending a lengthy writers strike.

FX noted that the "Damages" pickup -- along with "The Shield," "Nip/Tuck," "Rescue Me," "Dirt" and "The Riches" -- makes for a total of six concurrent drama series, the most ever for a cable network in that genre.

FX president and GM John Landgraf praised the show's creators/executive producers -- Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler and Daniel Zelman -- and the cast for a "beautifully written, beautifully acted show." He added that it's the first time the network has ordered multiple seasons of a show at one time and noted the benefit of FX being a co-producer on "Damages" with SPT.

"There also was a good amount of support in the international marketplace, which is very bullish on the show," Landgraf said. "When we looked at the economics of it, it just worked out really well that we were able to make a commitment to two seasons.".

SPT co-president of programming and production Zack Van Amburg agreed. "This group has mastered the art of storytelling with a show that continually raises the bar with each and every episode," he said.

SPT co-president Jamie Erlicht added that "FX has continually shown enormous support for both this show and for Sony, and it's evident in this extended renewal."

Todd Kessler, Glenn Kessler and Zelman issued a joint statement touting their "rewarding" relationship with FX, adding, "We're extremely fortunate to be able to continue to write and produce stories for an actress of Glenn Close's talent and stature."

* * * *

A reminder to check out the PTR interviews with the stars of Damages: Glenn Close, Tate Donovan and Peter Facinelli.