When we think of a long history of daring, boundary-pushing shows, we often first think of HBO. However, FXhas had its fair share of great and daring shows, and plenty of them were simply underwatched and underappreciated. FX and its sister network FXX have some downright brilliant original series to boast about, more than just Sons of Anarchy, Justified, and Fargo (to name just a few in a sea of amazing shows).
Some of the best shows that aired on FX just couldn’t make the cut as future classics, either because of poor marketing or bad timing; some of the shows didn’t have super-famous names attached to them, or they were just overtaken in a sea of other, similar programs. Here’s a chance to redeem and give new life to the best FX shows that no one watched.
10
‘Chozen’ (2014)
The 2010s were a great time for experimenting with adult animation, and Chozen was one of the shows that took risks that ultimately didn’t pay off in the long run. Chozen is an adult animation/comedy about the rapper Phillip “Chozen” Cullens, voiced by Bobby Moynihan. Chozen served a 10-year sentence in prison and was released at 28; he wants to reinvent himself as a proudly gay rapper, but he lacks the technological knowledge for music production and just basic tact, feeling stuck in time.
Chozen was wildly bold even at a time when adult animation like Archer was pushing the limits (Chozen even aired after Archer on Mondays). It was the first original series commissioned for FXX, which could have been why it was underseen (though it aired on FX); its niche topic and outrageous humor could’ve been other factors, though upon revision, Chozen has some (un)surprisingly sharp satire. It delves into masculinity, its roles in hip-hop, and achieving redemption. Besides Moynihan, the cast is pretty star-studded, with Hannibal Burress, Kathryn Hahn, and Method Man in some of the lead roles.
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The comedy legend Billy Crystal wasn’t enough to motivate more people to see his FX project The Comedians, a show in which he and Josh Gad play fictionalized, exaggerated versions of themselves trying to make a sketch show for late night TV. The Comedians was lauded for its brilliant and sharp humor, the banter and chemistry between Crystal and Gad, and the meta-Hollywood satire similar to the one we can see in The Studio nowadays.
The Comedians is great because of its niche, self-aware humor; it was based on a Swedish series called Ulveson och Herngren, and it was picked up pretty fast after the pilot, as Deadline reported back then. Despite the enthusiastic reception, The Comedians was short-lived—it had only one season—and the only explanation for its cancellation was that it was drowned out by other great TV comedies at the time. Fans of Billy Crystal can binge-watch this satirical one-season series within one afternoon probably; some of its guest stars include Mel Brooks, Rob Reiner, and Sugar Ray Leonard as themselves.
8
‘The Riches’ (2007–2008)
The Riches probably has the most specific reason for being underseen—it was impacted by the 2007–2008 Writers’ Strike, which cut the series short and left the story unfinished. So, it was mostly bad timing and no one’s fault in particular (except the entities that forced the writers to go on strike, but I digress). The Riches starred Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver, and Izzard’s fans know she always stars in some fun and daring series. Izzard’s chemistry with Driver is exceptional in The Riches, and Driver even received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her performance.
The Riches follows a family of Irish Travellers: Wayne and Daliah Malloy, and their three kids, Di Di, Cael, and Sam. The family is traveling, conning, and scheming their way across the U.S., until they steal the identity of a wealthy family called the Riches; if you liked the movie Parasite, this show might feel reminiscent in some respects. The Riches is a clever blend of drama and dark comedy, and it’s carried by excellent lead performances. Great reviews followed both seasons, particularly the second, which was called daring and provocative.
7
‘Baskets’ (2016–2019)
OK, so Baskets wasn’t exactly canceled too soon, but it did run pretty quietly for four seasons without much mainstream buzz. Zach Galifianakis‘ humor may not be for everyone, considering his style is often offbeat, dry, and sometimes slapstick. Still, Baskets was one of his biggest projects that was probably a bit overshadowed by his other project, Between Two Ferns, but also cursed with one of its co-creators, Louis C.K., admitting to sexual misconduct. This caused the show to be a little bit abandoned in its tracks. Make no mistake, though—Galifianakis is the star and the best part of Baskets.
Baskets follows Chip Baskets (Galifianakis), who fails to graduate from clown school in Paris, so he moves back to his hometown of Bakersfield, California, to be the local rodeo clown. Chip has a twin brother, Dale (also played by Galifianakis), who is the dean and founder of a local vocational college, and the show follows Chip’s and Dale’s lives as they navigate personal and professional issues. Though dry-humored, Baskets is heartfelt, too; it perfectly blends absurd comedy with tender family drama. If you liked Kenny Powers (Danny McBride)returning to his hometown in Eastbound & Down, you’ll like Chip Baskets doing the same thing, too.
6
‘Thief’ (2006)
Thief is a miniseries that earned Andre Braugheran Emmy win and a Golden Globe nomination, yet, you’re pretty sure you haven’t seen it, right? This crime thriller consists of six episodes and is as intense and suspenseful as the most exciting shows on TV right now. It seems Thief never really found its audience; it aired quietly between some of FX’s bigger hits without receiving the necessary push to attract more mainstream viewers. Still, Braugher was rightfully recognized for his great leading performance.
Thief follows the professional thief Nick Atwater (Braugher), who is planning his last big heist while taking care of private matters all at once. He has a team he leads, but they’re all scattered in their own minds, leaving Nick to pull all the strings. Thief is visually interesting and grabs your attention immediately. The cast delivers the well-written lines convincingly, though Braugher leads the ensemble with enough charm and capability to stand out. Taking on a lead role can be intimidating, but it seemed easy enough for Braugher in Thief, which you should try to watch today.
5
‘Wilfred’ (2011–2014)
Wilfred is a fan-favorite comedy that made Elijah Wood a little more popular among indie audiences; his leading man and comedic abilities stood out in this surreal dark comedy, where he successfully took the lead but also allowed the show’s weirdness to take over. The show’s co-creator, Jason Gann, stepped into the second lead after adapting the series for the American market and FX (he previously co-wrote Wilfred in Australia for SBS). Perhaps Wilfred was too weird for casual audiences, or they preferred the Australian version, but the show deserved a lot more overall.
Wilfred follows depressed and timid lawyer Ryan (Wood), who meets his beautiful new neighbor, Jenna (Fiona Gubelmann), and her Australian Shepherd dog, Wilfred. However, Ryan sees Wilfred as a man in a dog suit rather than just a dog, and he spends time with him, solving personal problems and pushing through hardship with Wilfred’s help; Gann portrays Wilfred, and he’s silly and brilliant. The show is absurd yet oddly profound, and tackles some big topics, from depression and purpose to friendship, and does it all through bizarre and often hilarious humor.
4
‘Man Seeking Woman’ (2015–2017)
Man Seeking Woman is technically an FXX show, but it’s FX just as much, since the two networks often shift programming from one to another. This is another fan favorite series that people found bonkers but brilliant, calling it imaginative, funny, and emotionally real behind all the weirdness. Man Seeking Woman was received warmly by critics and audiences alike, though mainstream audiences, who probably expected a less odd romantic comedy, weren’t the biggest fans of the series. The show often struggled to find its core audience (like an emo teen, it was misunderstood), and so it was canceled after three seasons.
Man Seeking Woman is a surrealist romantic comedy that follows Josh Greenberg (Jay Baruchel), a Chicago native whose girlfriend leaves him one day, and he finds himself struggling as a single guy once again. The show follows his romantic struggles and dating life, with each episode showing Josh meeting someone new. However, most of the situations Josh finds himself in are absurd and surreal, like him going on a date with a troll or realizing women have sworn off dating only him. Baruchel is great as the lead, and he’s joined by Eric Andre and Britt Lower, who are also exceptional here.
3
‘Lights Out’ (2011)
Let’s say it out loud—Holt McCallany deserves more recognition than he currently receives. He’s been in some stellar series over the years, he’s capable of being a charismatic and powerful leading man, and he’s just a great actor. We love McCallany over here. He was the protagonist of the short-lived FX series Lights Out, a sports/boxing drama that was reviewed and rated well, but somehow couldn’t reach the viewership numbers it deserved. It was canceled after one season, and now we have 13 episodes of it to reminisce about.
Lights Out follows a retired heavyweight boxer, Patrick “Lights” Leary (McCallany), who has problems supporting his family after his brother squanders his life savings. Lights suffers from CTE from too many blows to the head over the years, and has other health problems, but he has to either accept a soulless and difficult job or consider returning to the ring to make ends meet. Lights Out was praised for being gritty, emotional, and deep, including McCallany’s stunning leading performance. After watching Lights Out, you’ll probably want to watch McCallany in everything else, which we support wholeheartedly.
2
‘Mr. Inbetween’ (2018–2021)
Mr. Inbetween didn’t get much attention, probably because it’s an Australian import; there was little marketing for it in the U.S., but the show had a three-season run, concluded on its own terms, and received widespread praise for its writing, directing, acting, and atmosphere. For those who’ve seen the show, Mr. Inbetween is one of the best shows FX has ever produced; its lead, Scott Ryan, is also the show’s creator and writer. It’s like Barry, but a little less left-field and a little more subtle. Mr. Inbetween was directed entirely by Nash Edgerton, Australian director and stuntman.
Mr. Inbetween follows Sydney-based hitman Ray (Ryan), who tries to balance his professional and personal daily lives. His brutal line of work is a stark contrast to his family life, but Ray still has to tackle different, mundane problems on top of doing his job right. Mr. Inbetween is a dark comedy with subtle, character-driven plots and writing. Ryan is a terrific protagonist, worthy of praise, and his role as Ray is quite memorable. Many never realized what a gem FX had when Mr. Inbetween aired, but you have the chance for that now.
1
‘Terriers’ (2010)
Terriers is not about dogs, but about two flawed men trying their best as they solve murders in unconventional and usually ridiculous ways. It’s a crime thriller with sharp writing, witty dialogue and great conversations; Donal Logue and Michael Raymond-James have great on-screen chemistry, and deliver some of their best and most captivating work. Terriers‘ executive producer, Shawn Ryan, mentioned in an interview that he considered the show ahead of its time, and fans of the unjustly canceled series agree wholeheartedly. Maybe it was the title that tipped the scales for FX, as Terriers is not a great name.
Terriers follows ex-cop and recovering alcoholic Hank Dolworth (Logue) and his best friend, ex-criminal Britt Pollack (Raymond-James), as they start an unlicensed PI business in San Diego. Each episode follows a new case while Hank and Britt tackle personal life problems and dilemmas. These two have brilliant banter and are pretty heartfelt characters, despite obvious flaws. Nowadays, shows with morally gray and imperfect protagonists are all the rage, and Terriers stands the test of time in that respect. This witty crime thriller is one of the best one-season shows ever.
