FX Picks Up Eight Emmy Award Nominations

LOS ANGELES, July 14, 2005 - FX earned a total of eight Emmy Award nominations today, the network's highest total ever, while producing more Emmy "firsts" for a basic cable network. All three FX drama series were recognized, with Nip/Tuck picking up four nominations, and The Shield and Rescue Me each earning two.

The women of The Shield came up big for the network with Glenn Close earning a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and CCH Pounder receiving a nod for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. Both Close and Pounder are the first actresses ever from a basic cable series to receive nominations in those respective categories (either comedy or drama), and they join Emmy Award winner Michael Chiklis who in 2002 was the first actor ever from a basic cable series to receive an Emmy nomination for Lead Actor (comedy or drama series). For Close, today's nomination was her 10th overall, and Pounder's nomination raises her total to three overall.

The team of Denis Leary and Peter Tolan, creators of the critically acclaimed series Rescue Me, earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, and Tolan scored a nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series. Both nominations were for the pilot episode. Leary's nomination is his first ever. The two nominations for Tolan are his 11th and 12th overall. He previously received two nominations as a producer and six as writer on The Larry Sanders Show (won writing in 1998); and two nominations as a producer for Murphy Brown (won in 1992). His Directing nomination today for Rescue Me is his first in that category.

Rescue Me is only the second basic cable series ever to receive Outstanding Writing and Directing nominations (The Shield earned both in 2002 - Shawn Ryan for writing and Clark Johnson for directing). FX has now received Outstanding Directing nomination for all three of its drama series, The Shield (Johnson, 2002), Nip/Tuck (Ryan Murphy, 2004) and Rescue Me (Tolan, 2005).

Nip/Tuck, which has earned four nominations for the second year in a row, received nods for Jill Clayburgh in the category of Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series; Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series; and Outstanding Makeup for a Series (Non-Prosthetic) and Outstanding Prosthetic for a Series, Miniseries, Movie or a Special.

For the second year in a row FX increased its nominations total. The network earned six in 2004, three in 2003 and three in 2002.

Listed below are FX's major Emmy firsts for a basic cable network (bold type denotes win; asterisk denotes the only basic cable nomination ever in that category):

- Person/s - Category - Series - Year

Michael Chiklis Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series The Shield 2002*

Shawn Ryan Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series The Shield 2002

Clark Johnson Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series The Shield 2002

Mark Cullen & Robb Cullen Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series Lucky 2003*

Glenn Close Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series The Shield 2005*

CCH Pounder Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series The Shield 2005*

FX is the only basic cable network ever to have three series nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series and the only basic cable network ever to have two series nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series.

The Shield is produced by Fox Television Studios in association with Sony Pictures Television. Nip/Tuck is produced by The Shephard/Robin Company in association with Warner Bros. Television Productions, Inc. Rescue Me is produced by Sony Pictures Television.

John Landgraf, President and General Manager, FX Networks

"We're deeply appreciative to the academy of television voters on behalf of all our nominees. FX is doing it's best to support work of the highest quality, and we're gratified to by our continued growth in the recognition of quality of work being done on our network."

Glenn Close, Nominee, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series as "Captain Monica Rawling" on The Shield

"It was a thrill to be part of such an incredible ensemble, one of the best experiences of my career. The nomination makes it doubly sweet and I'm ecstatic for CC."

CCH Pounder, Nominee, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series as "Detective Claudette Wyms" on The Shield

"WOWEE! How did I get up from under the radar? I'm surprised and delighted that I get to represent my fabulous cast."

Peter Tolan, Nominee, Outstanding Writing and Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series Co-Creator/Writer/Director, Rescue Me

"While I'm disappointed that Denis (Leary) wasn't recognized in acting for his tremendous performance last season, it's still very nice to have been recognized in writing and directing categories."

Shawn Ryan, Creator/Executive Producer of The Shield on the Nominations of Glenn Close and CCH Pounder

"It's not a surprise to me that Glenn Close, one of the greatest actresses in the world, was nominated for what was a tour de force portrayal. She elevated everyone's work on the show. And we're thrilled that after four years of superior work on the show CC was finally recognized for the wonderful work she has done since day one."