FX announces series’ end dates

It was a bittersweet morning on Tuesday for John Landgraf, president of FX Networks, who kicked off FX’s press tour session by announcing end dates for several of the network’s signature series.

As previously announced, “The Shield,” the series that turned FX into a must-see network for original dramas, will begin its last season on Sept. 2. Landgraf spent a few minutes bragging about how “The Shield,” the first basic cable show to win a major Emmy, altered the TV landscape and gave HBO a run for its money.

FX’s other sweetheart, “Nip/Tuck,” the top-rated basic cable drama, will end in early 2011, Landgraf said. The last eight episodes of the current season will premiere in January. Creator Ryan Murphy, who will stay with the series through its end, will produce 19 more episodes as the final season, Landgraf said.

Admitting that the network has had a tougher time landing successful comedies, Landgraf announced that its darling, “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” will premiere its fourth season on Sept. 18 and produce 39 more episodes beyond that, probably coming to an end in 2011 with the entire cast, including Danny DeVito.

In other news, Landgraf announced that 22 episodes of “Rescue Me” will air next spring with the addition of Michael J. Fox, who will appear in four episodes as the new wheelchair-bound boyfriend of Janet Gavin (Andrea Roth).

“Damages” will return in January for a second season with new additions to the cast, which will include Marcia Gay Harden, Timothy Olyphant and William Hurt.

A new comedy, “Testees,” about two friends in their early 30s who earn a living as medical guinea pigs, will premiere Oct. 9.

Landgraf said he has not decided whether to renew “The Riches” for a third season.

-- Maria Elena Fernandez