FX once again is demonstrating its signature patience when it comes to new series, handing out a 10-episode second season order to freshman comedy Man Seeking Woman for a 2016 premiere.
Simon Rich’s half-hour series starring Jay Baruchel, from FX Productions and Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video, has not been a breakout, which is the case for many comedies, including FX/FXX flagship It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia.
With Sunny as a lead-in, Man Seeking Woman opened with 326,000 total viewers and a 0.2 rating in adults 18-49 in Live+same day, dropping to 185,000 viewers and a 0.1 in Week 2.
In Live+7 to date, the comedy’s first season is averaging 254,000 Adults 18-34 and 353,000 Adults 18-49 through five episodes. FXX notes that MSW‘s averages are +67% (18-34) and +41% (18-49) higher than the network’s primetime demo averages. Additionally, Man Seeking Woman, the first original series to launch on FXX, garnered strong reviews at its launch.
“Simon Rich has delivered an incredibly smart and original take on the search for love,” FX’s Nick Grad said. “Critics and fans alike have embraced his unique storytelling, Jon Krisel’s stunning visuals and the brilliant performances of Jay Baruchel, Eric André and the rest of the cast that has made Man Seeking Woman one of the best new comedies on television.”
A sweet and absurd look at the surreal life-and-death stakes of dating, Man Seeking Woman stars Baruchel as Josh Greenberg, a naive romantic on a desperate quest for love. The cast also includes Eric André, Britt Lower and Maya Erskine. Man Seeking Woman was created by Rich based on his book of short stories, The Last Girlfriend On Earth. Rich serves as showrunner and executive producer along with Jonathan Krisel, Lorne Michaels and Broadway Video’s Andrew Singer.
The next of three remaining episodes from Season 1 of MSW airs tomorrow night.
For the past four years, every live-action FX series has gone to a second season.
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