SOA TWO

We got the word today that we were picked up for a second season. The news came earlier than I thought. Needless to say, I'm thrilled. The one thing I told reporters today (okay, actually there was only one) was that the success of the show can be attributed to the fierce loyalty of the viewers. People are tuning in, telling their friends and coming back -- every week. Calling it a grass roots movement is a bit too dramatic, but there is something very satisfying knowing that the core fanbase of this show springs from towns and cities not unlike Charming, CA. Again, thanks for all the support. The official FX press release is below. FX PICKS UP SECOND SEASON OF NEW DRAMA SONS OF ANARCHY Frosh Series Is FX’s Most Successful in Delivery of Adults 18-49 Since Rescue Me. Network Places 13-Episode Order from Fox 21 and FX Productions. LOS ANGELES, October 6, 2008 – FX plans to keep the motor running on its critically acclaimed biker drama Sons of Anarchy, picking up the series for a 13-episode second season order, today announced John Landgraf, President and General Manager of FX Networks. Since its premiere, the ratings for Sons of Anarchy have been very strong and remarkably consistent among the network’s target demo of Adults 18-49. On a weekly five-telecast cume basis, Sons is averaging 3.5 million Adults 18-49, and the fourth week of the show delivered more Adults 18-49 than its premiere week. On a weekly five-telecast cume, the series is averaging 5.4 million total viewers and has retained 97% of its total viewers since premiere. Based on week-to-week ratings, Sons of Anarchy is FX’s most consistent first year drama ever and the network’s most successful since Rescue Me. “It’s incredibly gratifying to everyone at FX in at this time when The Shield – the show that got our critically acclaimed original programming brand started – is airing its final season, their loyal audience has embraced Sons of Anarchy and made it a success,” said Landgraf. “We’re also very proud of the day-in-day-out creative excellence the Sons of Anarchy writers and actors are bringing to the table.” Sons of Anarchy stars Charlie Hunnam, Katey Sagal and Ron Perlman and was created by Kurt Sutter who also serves as Executive Producer. John Linson and Art Linson are Executive Producers. "Sons of Anarchy has been a fantastic collaboration between the producers, Fox21 and FX and we are thrilled about this second season pick-up," said Fox21 Senior Vice President Jane Francis. "This enormously talented cast and crew have produced a truly distinctive and remarkable television series, and viewers have responded. We couldn't be more pleased." Sutter said, “I think the underlying themes of family and the common man's fight against oppressive corporate greed has grabbed people's attention. It's relatable, it's very timely and it's why the audience is coming back week after week. I love the action and the dark places the show goes, but ultimately it's the bigger, more poignant themes that inspire me.” Sons of Anarchy is an adrenalized drama with darkly comedic undertones about a notorious outlaw motorcycle club intent on protecting their sheltered small town against encroaching drug dealers, corporate developers and overzealous law officers. The club is equally determined to protect their ruthless and illegal thriving arms business. Charlie Hunnam stars as Jackson ‘Jax’ Teller, a man whose love for the brotherhood is tested by his growing apprehension for its lawlessness. Katey Sagal stars as Gemma Teller Morrow, Jax’s force-of-nature mother, who along with Ron Perlman as Clarence ‘Clay’ Morrow, Jax’s stepfather and MC president, have their own darker vision for the club.

THE RISING

Bruce's comments from the stage in Philly. "I am glad to be here today for this voter registration drive and for Barack Obama, the next President of the United States. I've spent 35 years writing about America, its people, and the meaning of the American Promise. The Promise that was handed down to us, right here in this city from our founding fathers, with one instruction: Do your best to make these things real. Opportunity, equality, social and economic justice, a fair shake for all of our citizens, the American idea, as a positive influence, around the world for a more just and peaceful existence. These are the things that give our lives hope, shape, and meaning. They are the ties that bind us together and give us faith in our contract with one another. I've spent most of my creative life measuring the distance between that American promise and American reality. For many Americans, who are today losing their jobs, their homes, seeing their retirement funds disappear, who have no healthcare, or who have been abandoned in our inner cities. The distance between that promise and that reality has never been greater or more painful. I believe Senator Obama has taken the measure of that distance in his own life and in his work. I believe he understands, in his heart, the cost of that distance, in blood and suffering, in the lives of everyday Americans. I believe as president, he would work to restore that promise to so many of our fellow citizens who have justifiably lost faith in its meaning. After the disastrous administration of the past 8 years, we need someone to lead us in an American reclamation project. In my job, I travel the world, and occasionally play big stadiums, just like Senator Obama. I've continued to find, wherever I go, America remains a repository of people's hopes, possibilities, and desires, and that despite the terrible erosion to our standing around the world, accomplished by our recent administration, we remain, for many, a house of dreams. One thousand George Bushes and one thousand Dick Cheneys will never be able to tear that house down. They will, however, be leaving office, dropping the national tragedies of Katrina, Iraq, and our financial crisis in our laps. Our sacred house of dreams has been abused, looted, and left in a terrible state of disrepair. It needs care; it needs saving, it needs defending against those who would sell it down the river for power or a quick buck. It needs strong arms, hearts, and minds. It needs someone with Senator Obama's understanding, temperateness, deliberativeness, maturity, compassion, toughness, and faith, to help us rebuild our house once again. But most importantly, it needs us. You and me. To build that house with the generosity that is at the heart of the American spirit. A house that is truer and big enough to contain the hopes and dreams of all of our fellow citizens. That is where our future lies. We will rise or fall as a people by our ability to accomplish this task. Now I don't know about you, but I want that dream back, I want my America back, I want my country back. So now is the time to stand with Barack Obama and Joe Biden, roll up our sleeves, and come on up for the rising."