Russell Brand and his Fright Wig of Wonder have plenty of reason to celebrate today.
The actor-comedian has landed not one, but two series deals, with Fox and its sister cable outlet, FX. Under the deals, the "Arthur" star will host a late-night, unscripted series on FX, and co-create and voice an animated series for Fox.
Which, for those keeping score at home, will make the second "Get Him to the Greek" star to land a cartoon series on Fox, behind Jonah Hill, whose "Allen Gregory" premiered this season.
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The as-yet-untitled, half-hour FX series, which debuts in spring 2012 and was announced by the network Thursday, will "feature Brand’s unvarnished, unfiltered take on current events, politics and pop culture" and be filmed in front of a live audience, according to FX. Six installments of the series are planned. FX Productions is producing, in association with Brand's production company Branded Films and Dakota Films. Brand will executive-produce, along with Branded's Nik Linnen and Dakota's Troy Miller, who will also direct.
The series is produced by FX Productions in association with Branded Films and Dakota Films. This marks the first television deal for Branded Films.
The animated series, meanwhile — which has received a presentation and script order from Fox, the network confirms to TheWrap — is being produced by 20th Century Fox Television and Chernin Entertainment, with Dan Fybel and Rich Rinaldi, of Fox's animated offering "Bob's Burgers," handling writing chores.
Brand remained characteristically understated while discussing the FX deal, offering, “I am so excited I'm on the point of climax, in fact I will put the "O" into FX, which spells FOX, which is actually the channel's real name,” said Brand. “That's the only thing that worries me about all this to be honest. At least I'll be able to have a Christmas drink with Bill O'Reilly.”
News of Brand's animated comedy was first reported by Deadline.