Talkin' TV

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- It's a very sunny day here for the producers of the increasingly popular FX comedy, "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia."

John Landgraf, the president and general manager of the cable network, announced "Sunny" has been renewed for 39 episodes beyond the 13 that will premiere when the series returns for a fourth season  Sept. 18.

One of the advantages of working for a basic cable network is its executives often plan much further ahead than the broadcast networks.

Landgraf also announced that eight episodes of the fifth season of the drama "Nip/Tuck" will begin airing airing in January of 2009 and he has ordered an additional 19 episodes to bring the series total to 100 by the time it ends in early 2011.

In other FX news:

-- Michael J. Fox will star in four episodes of "Rescue Me," which will return in the spring of 2009. Landgraf said Fox will  play the new boyfriend of Janet Gavin (Andrea Roth), Tommy Gavin's (Denis Leary) "sometimes estranged ex-wife." Landgraf said Fox's character will be in a wheelchair.

"He is a very funny, very original character," added Landgraf. "I think Michael J. Fox is good friends with Denis Leary and is really excited about the part."

-- "The Riches" hasn't been canceled. "I love the show," said Landgraf, who acknowledged the audience hasn't fallen in love with it and he is wrestling with the decision whether to give it another season.

-- It has commissioned a new comedy, "Testees," from a "South Park" writer. It's about two friends in their 30s who earn their living as medical guinea pigs. It will premiere on Oct. 9 after "Sunny."

-- Ted Danson, whose character on "Damages" was shot in the season finale, will appear in several episodes of the second season of the series. However, the producers wouldn't say whether the character survived or whether he comes back in dreams.

-- Alan Pergament