More info on new seasons of FX comedies

FX is slowly becoming the flagship network for edgier comedies on TV. It’s pretty great that there’s a home for these shows that might otherwise end up passed on by major network execs. With the cult success of shows like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and critical praise for new shows like Louie, it’s pretty likely the network will continue to support their burgeoning comedies if it will net them similar results.

Anyway, here’s the scoop on what’s going on with the new seasons of FX comedies in the pipeline…

ARCHER: Season 2 will debut in January 2012 and the story will place Archer’s agency, ISIS in the middle of budget cuts. The show’s executive producer Matt Thompson stated the show will continue with serialization elements (like the deterioration of Cyril and Lana’s relationship last season) and will include story arcs that “will include Archer getting an illegitimate child, revelations about Archer’s father and possibly a femme fatale Russian spy for Archer to date.” H. Jon Benjamin, the voice of Archer recently picked up a development deal with Comedy Central so he’s definitely a comedic actor to keep your eye on.

THE LEAGUE: Last year’s 6-episode debut season was shot in 20 days so the show’s runners announced a less hectic shooting schedule as Season 2 has a 13 episode order. When asked about gaining new fans for Season 2, the show’s co-creator Jeff Shaffer said “You don’t need to know anything about fantasy football or even sports. You just need to have friends you hate.” The show has grown tremendously from strong online Hulu viewership which will play an increasingly important role in the show’s future and help push the network to sign off on a 3rd season.

IT’S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA: This season they will indeed address lead actress Kaitlin Olson’s pregnancy (she’s married to co-star/executive producer Rob McElhenney). When asked how? The show’s co-star/writer/exec producer Glenn Howerton stated “We initially think she’s just getting fat and give her [crap] for it and then she drops a bomb on us that she’s actually pregnant.” There will be a mystery episode as to who the father is. But the pregnancy will not be the focus of the entire season as they have episodes that will address issues such as gay marriage and animal rights. We just hope we get to witness more of Danny DeVito’s character Frank as he continues to regress from adult to a full-blown adolescent drunk.

Via [Warming Glow, Deadline, and Pittsburgh Post Gazette]