The only part I disagree with are the “duds.” I think we had overkill with William Hurt, but there is something about Ted Danson and that sympathetic little voice of his and then he turns around and does something horrible. I do like Tate Donovan. I just think sometimes he spends too much time directing. We got better acting from him in the first season.

It was so nice to see Zelko Ivanek – I really missed his Ray Fiske and that wonderful accent of his.

It isn’t that the show needs a good man to survive or be interesting, it’s that the insanely super strong females (Close, Byrne, Gay Harden) have no one of their par to work with. A dynamic male character would help. A lot.

Of course I can’t blame the low ratings on FX alone and I know it is a difficult show to keep track of, but it will sadden me if it ends prematurely because of ratings. However, the big boss at FX says he is not concerned with the ratings and hopes the show will go 6 season – I guess we will see.

Since both are Sony-owned, RESCUE ME gets advertised far more than DAMAGES. I have yet to see a promo for DAMAGES on FOX, but I see them for RESCUE ME all the time now.

I think the high drama contortions of the rich are just less interesting to us in this age of Madoff and the I-Banking fiasco.

You are right about US imports, they do get criticism because of the lisence fee but TBH I think US imports are fine as long as they don’t pay too much for them and most of US imports like Mad Men and Family Guy do suit the channels they are on.

Having said that the BBC scheduling of imports has always been very weird. They brought Arrested Development for example and aired it first run episodes between 12-1AM at one point. The BBC is generally quite terrified of airing US imports, particularly after the criticism they’ve faced for the Heroes deal.

The last episode that aired in the UK last Sunday (2.07) – “picked up 1.2 million and a 7% share between 10.20pm and 11pm” with the late-night repeat on Tuesday picking up 500,000 (according to Media Guardian). It’s also available to watch online via the BBC IPlayer.

Not sure what the BBC paid for the series, but certainly the first series received a lot of critical praise & Glenn Close was over here promoting the second series, appearing on a lot of talkshows, giving media interviews etc. I imagine they will do their best to hold onto the series for season 3.

How about Heroes? Much better over seas, I heard France still loves the show.

I saw a similar problem with Battlestar Galactica season 3. Oh, well.

Whether or not the international success is something that will play a part in its future I don’t know. I know the DVD sales over here at least are very strong and I know the BBC would likely up their financial commitment to the show next year if asked and that Sky (amongst others) would be willing to do so if the BBC don’t, whether or not Sony will lower the cost to FX believing they can offset it internationally is debatable.

Personally I don’t think FX cancel Damages. I think they bring it back for a third and final season and bask in the critical praise for another year.

I believe that Sony Pictures is putting up most of the money and FX only pays the license fee plus it co-produced by them via FX Productions so they will get a cut of the money from DVD and international sydication.