Charlie Sheen, Russell Brand New Shows Premiere June 28
Charlie Sheen's new show, "Anger Management," will debut along with Russell Brand's late-night talk show, "Strangely Uplifting," on June 28 on the FX television network.
Charlie Sheen's sitcom, starring the former "Two and a Half Men" actor, is about a former baseball player who switches careers to non-traditional anger management therapy. In order to attract ratings, the comedy will air two episodes back-to-back at 9:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Brand's late-night talk show focuses on the British comedian's uncanny ability to entertain, and will rely a lot on audience participation, according to Reuters. Brand will bring an "unvarnished, unfiltered take on current events, politics, and pop culture," according to FX. The show's six episodes represent the first television show for Brand's company, Branded Films.
"Anger Management" isn't a new idea. In fact, many viewers are already familiar with the 2003 comedy starring Jack Nicholson and Adam Sander - part of the reason TV executives decided to work with Sheen after his meltdown on "Men" and feud with his boss, Chuck Lorre.
"I walked into the pitch as skeptical as you might imagine I would be," FX president John Landgraf told reporters. "It was just a really excellent pitch … I saw a really good pitch for a comedy series."
FX plans to make Thursdays into a comedy block extending from 9:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. After "Anger Management" comes "Wilfred," the dark comedy about a man who sees his dog as a crass, adult man in a fuzzy suit. The second season of the show premieres at 10:00 p.m.
Next is "Louie," starring comedian Louis C.K. The show will premiere its third season at 10:30 p.m., followed by Brand's show.
"Charlie wants to get his house in order," said Landgraf in January. "My opinion is that could be a good thing, not just for Charlie, but for society. I believe in redemption … I'm all for giving him the opportunity for turning things around."
"Anger Management" starts filming March 22.