Starting Monday, FX spawns a new young adult network, dubbed FXX. FX’s hit comedies It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Season Premiere 10 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4) and The League (Season Premiere 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4) will make the jump to the new network along with the nightly talk show Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell (11 p.m. Sept. 4). The newer series, Legit, starring Australian comic Jim Jefferies will pick up a second season on FXX in January 2014.
In addition to the crossover FX series, viewers can expect reruns of syndicated and canned-too-soon favorites like Arrested Development, Freaks and Geeks, How I Met Your Mother and Sports Night, all kicking off with a Parks and Recreation “Treat Yo’self” marathon when the network launches on Labor Day. FXX’s first original series, the animated comedy Chozen, follows the show’s namesake white gay rapper (voiced by Saturday Night Live’s Bobby Moynihan) as he adjusts to life fresh out of prison. Coming from the folks that brought us Eastbound & Down and FX’s Archer, Chozen is due in early 2014 — and is definitely one to keep on your radar.
Catering to the younger crowd, FXX will feature a DIY vibe, with an emphasis on social media interaction with viewers. The channel is expected to replace Fox Soccer. Go to getfxx.com and enter your zip code and cable/satellite provider to see if you receive the network and on what channel you can find it — and hope you won’t have to pay The Man more to get your Sunny fix.
WEDNESDAY AUG. 28
Top Chef Masters (10 p.m., Bravo) – The chef-testants create dishes inspired by Mindy Kaling’s fave rom-coms; Later, the cast of Yo Gabba Gabba! stops by and the chefs must cater a healthy party and please kids’ persnickety palates.
THURSDAY AUG. 29
Project Runway (9 p.m., Lifetime) – The most important accessory of all — shoes — serves as inspiration in this challenge. And could a double elimination be in store after last week’s Tim Gunn Save?
Wilfred (10 p.m., FX) – Wilfred’s acts of courage come back to bite Ryan.
FRIDAY AUG. 30
Comedy Bang! Bang! (10 p.m., IFC) – Sarah Silverman shows off her moves, Workaholics’ Adam DeVine stops by and the world’s fastest talker (Joe Lo Truglio) shoots for a new record.
SUNDAY SEPT. 1
Breaking Bad (9 p.m., AMC) -– The Whites take a little vacation. Walter is called “the devil” for the second time this season. Discuss.
Cutthroat Kitchen (10 p.m., Food Network) – Alton Brown hosts this intense cooking competition in which each contestant is given $25,000 to spend improving their odds in the kitchen — even if that means sabotaging another chef. Brown steps in to substitute tools, auction off exclusive rights to ingredients and just mess with the chefs in general. This week, one chef has to incorporate a mystery meat into cheesesteak, another is tasked with baking cupcakes in a microwave and pie crust must be used as pizza dough.
Talking Bad (11 p.m., AMC) – Betsy Brandt (Marie) and RJ Mitte (Flynn/Walt Jr.) join Chris Hardwick to discuss the night’s drama and the series as a whole. Tune in for a clue about next week’s episode straight from creator Vince Gilligan.
MONDAY SEPT. 2
Under the Dome (10 p.m., CBS) – Barbie’s secrets are finally revealed and Big Jim turns the town against him, sparking a manhunt for the killer. Maxine confronts Barbie’s closest friend.
Roast of James Franco (10 p.m., Comedy Central) – Franco’s BFF Seth Rogen hosts this comedic tribute to the actor/writer/director/college teacher/Riff Raff impersonator. Roasters include Aziz Ansari, Bill Hader, Jonah Hill, Nick Kroll, Natasha Leggero, Andy Samberg, Sarah Silverman and a cornrowed roast vet Jeff Ross (complete with an entourage of ski-masked bikini babes, a nod to Spring Breakers). Prepare your eyerolls for the inevitable barrage of gay jokes.
TUESDAY SEPT. 3
Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals (Season Finale, 10 p.m., HBO) – The Bengals take on the Colts for their final preseason game and our last look at Hard Knocks.
CONTACT JAC KERN: jkern@citybeat.com or @jackern
This article appears in Aug 28 – Sep 3, 2013.
