TV News: FX Acquires New George Lopez Sitcom, "Saint George"

According to a press release today, FX has closed a deal for a new half-hour sitcom, Saint George, starring George Lopez. This series marks Lopez’s first starring role since his long-running ABC series, George Lopez, and follows the chaotic life of a recently divorced working class Mexican-American turned successful entrepreneur. Saint George is modeled after FX’s Anger Management, starring Charlie Sheen, among others, in that 10 initial episodes are ordered, and if the series meets designated ratings thresholds over its first 10-episode run, the network will trigger an additional 90-episode order.

The full press release is below.

Los Angeles, April 18, 2013 —FX has closed a 10/90 deal with Lionsgate Television and Lionsgate’s television distribution company Debmar-Mercury for the George Lopez half-hour sitcom Saint George, starring and co-created by Lopez, it was announced today by Chuck Saftler, Executive Vice President, FX Networks.

Matt Williams and his Wind Dancer Films partner David McFadzean, co-created Saint George with Lopez, and the trio will serve as executive producers. Michael Rotenberg (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) is executive producer. Dete Meserve and Judd Payne will also serve as executive producers. Production of the series begins in August.

Saint George marks Lopez’s first starring role in a sitcom since his long-running ABC series, George Lopez. The multi-camera ensemble comedy revolves around the chaotic life of a recently divorced working class Mexican-American turned successful entrepreneur. In the sitcom, Lopez will portray a man who struggles to balance his demanding ex-wife, his 11-year-old son, his overbearing mother who just moved in, and his uncle, as well as his new role as a philanthropist “giving back” by teaching history once a week at a night school.

“George Lopez is an incredibly gifted actor-producer and one of the most talented comedians in the business,” said Saftler. “The 10/90 model requires a unique individual who has the ability to pull off this kind of daunting schedule. George is that guy and we couldn’t be happier that he chose FX as the home for his new project. We’ve had a great experience working with Kevin Beggs and his team at Lionsgate as well as with Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein at Debmar-Mercury, and are thrilled to expand that relationship.”

Lopez said, “I’m excited about my new show, couldn’t think a better group of people or better place to create than FX…..Now to get ready… Back to Pilates!”

Williams added, “George is one of the smartest, funniest guys around. David and I are thrilled to be working with him.”

The series will be produced by Lionsgate Television in association with Wind Dancer Films, Travieso Productions and 3 Arts Entertainment.

“FX has been an outstanding partner and we know it will provide the perfect fit for this terrific concept from the great comedy mind of George Lopez,” commented Debmar-Mercury Co-Presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein. “Our business model is all about finding unique talent and broad concepts that have the best chance of succeeding both on networks and later in off-net syndication. George Lopez’s broad appeal and strong following from the rapidly growing Hispanic audience, combined with the unmatched experience and track record of Matt and David, makes us extremely confident they can deliver our next big hit.”

FX has ordered 10 episodes of Saint George and, as is standard with the 10/90 model, if the series meets designated ratings thresholds over it first 10-episode run, the network will trigger an additional 90-episode order.

Lionsgate Television Group President Kevin Beggs added, “In the tradition of George’s frank and fearless standup comedy, Saint George will reflect his no-holds-barred comedic take on the tensions surrounding race, class, sex and family life in Los Angeles through the eyes of a man straddling two separate cultures. George is an extraordinary talent and we are privileged to be working with him and with Matt and David, who are responsible for some of the most successful television comedies ever produced.”

Williams and McFadzean are behind some of the greatest comedies of all time. Williams began his TV career writing and producing for The Cosby Show before co-creating A Different World, creating and executive producing Roseanne and, under the Wind Dancer banner with Carmen Finestra and McFadzean, co-creating Home Improvement, Carol Burnett’s Carol & Company, Dave Chappelle’s Buddies and Dan Aykroyd’s Soul Man. Williams is represented by WME.

Lopez, whose eponymous sitcom George Lopez initially aired on ABC from 2002-07 and went on to perform well in off-network syndication, will co-write the first episode of the series with Williams and McFadzean.

The 10/90 model is a unique syndication model crafted by Debmar-Mercury for multiple sitcoms, including FX’s Anger Management, Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and Meet The Browns, and Revolution’s and Ice Cube’s Are We There Yet? Saint George will air exclusively on FX until the off-network episodes start airing in broadcast syndication in fall 2015.

In addition to his television career, Lopez continues to perform as a standup comic and to record comedy albums. Team Leader was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album. He also wrote an autobiography entitled Why You Crying, which was published that same year.

Regarded as one of the top comedians, Lopez has received several honors for his work and contributions to the Latino community, including the 2003 Latino Spirit Award for Excellence in Television. He was also named one of “The Top 25 Hispanics in America” by Time magazine in 2005.

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Linda

Love TV, movies, and books--mostly mysteries, with a good love story thrown in every now and then. I have four adopted dogs who I adore. I love trying new recipes, and enjoy eating what I make. English language perfectionist. Reading in bed, Italian food, warm weather, the beach, all types of games = favs!