Since the mid-’90s, the FX Television Network (originally Fox Extended) has arguably taken the television industry by storm. The paid cable and satellite television station has produced a wide range of acclaimed original series, later becoming Golden Globe and Emmy Award winners. One of the consistently highest-ranking out of 104 basic cable networks, FX has become among the most viewable and valuable networks to date. Pushing the boundaries for ethnic diversity and integrative expansion of content within subject matters and storylines, FX has strived to be a catalyst for up-and-coming and already-established stars to both find fame, going on to later work in mainstream blockbuster films.
Over the years, FX has become such a success due to the large-scale fan reception of its original programming. Worth an estimated $9.5 billion, the network has partnered with streaming service Hulu in the past to produce both original content (American Horror Stories, spinoff to American Horror Story) and further elevate its existing programs through syndication and streaming. They truly shine in original programming, though, so let’s go over some of FX’s most successful originals that have received great critical acclaim.
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6 American Crime Story
20th Television
American Crime Story is an anthology true-crime TV series developed by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, pinpointing several critical, historical, and high profile murder cases. These cases range from The People v. O. J. Simpson (Season 1), The Assassination of Gianni Versace (Season 2), as well as its masterful recent Impeachment installment (Season 3), highlighting President Clinton and Monica Lewinsky’s scandalous affair that rocked both America to its core. Recreated for television with the proper factual evidence, official records and information from those connected closely to each case, and often astounding performances, the purpose of the series is to provide an in-depth yet alternate insight into these famous scandals, mining them for true-to-life drama.
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5 American Horror Story
Created by Ryan Murphy (who also worked on the each-season-is-different American Crime Story) and Brad Falchuk, the co-creators of hit musical series Glee and the early FX series Nip/Tuck, American Horror Story (AHS) revolves around a new scary story each season. Sometimes based around real-life events, American Horror Story sets itself apart by deliriously upping the theatrics (i.e. camp: intentionally exaggerating, over emphasizing moments) in order to make the experience more satirical in key scenes, or just simply more fun, for the purpose of an overall enjoyable viewing adventure.
4 Atlanta
20th Television
Atlanta is one of the best shows for viewers who are also battling to make their long term goals into a reality. Atlanta is one of the key cities for hip-hop rappers searching to make a name for themselves in the entertainment business, and Alfred Miles (Brian Tyree Henry) is one of the up-and-coming rappers trying to break through in Atlanta’s rap scene. As Miles attempts to make it mainstream, he also struggles to find the line between a life in the streets and a realistic life he ultimately envisions for himself. After a three-year wait, the show from the brilliant Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino) is finally set to return.
3 It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Following “The Gang,” (the owners of the unsuccessful Paddy’s Pub), It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is about a group of five self-proclaimed deceitful degenerates who love to scheme, conspire, and most of all gloat in each other’s misery. The group, Mac (Rob McElhenney), Charlie (Charlie Day), Dennis (Glenn Howerton), Frank (Danny DeVito) and Dee (Kaitlin Olson), runs rampant in the town of Philadelphia, profiting off of the welfare system, pretending to be crippled, impersonating police officers, and yes, faking funerals. We know, it sounds terrible because these actions truly are, but the series is out-of-this-world hilarious, and has been an even bigger success since Hulu put it up.. The Gang somehow manages to never stoop too low in order to make a quick pay day.
2 Sons of Anarchy
Sons of Anarchy is set in the fictional town of Charming, San Joaquin County, California, where the Sons of Anarchy motorcycle club continues to regularly operate both illegal and legal businesses. Together, the group is a part of a massive gun-running and garage scheme, as well as their involvement in the production of porn films. Jack (Charles Matthew Hunnam), stepson to the club’s vice president, is a single father who has objections to the current leadership and believes in changing its operations. Concerned about the group’s evident lawlessness and disregard for concealment, conflict later erupts as the group regularly patrols the town, keeping drug dealers at bay and monitoring its lucrative, illegal arms business. The real draw here is the character development, which is beautifully constructed over seven artful seasons.
1 Snowfall
Oscar-nominated director John Singleton (from Boyz N the Hood) co-created the dramatic series Snowfall before his unfortunate passing. Singleton drew inspiration from his own life for one of the three protagonists, Franklin Saint (Damson Idris), a young street entrepreneur trying anyway he can to obtain power in his community. Set in the 1980s, the series explores the power struggle of a Mexican crime family in California and Franklin’s involvement with them. Determined to do whatever he needs in order to make life worthwhile, Franklin becomes involved with Lucia Villanueva (Emily Clara Rios), the daughter of a Mexican crime lord who sells marijuana throughout the city. Overall, Snowfall is edgy while accurately recreating the early days of the burgeoning crack cocaine epidemic in America and the sociopolitical and economic issues which caused it.
