Five Clips From FX’s New Boxing Series ‘Lights Out’
Posted on Monday, January 3rd, 2011 by Germain Lussier
FX is quickly developing a shining reputation for their original programming. With shows like The Shield, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Louie, Rescue Me, Justified, Sons of Anarchy and more (including the canceled Terriers) they’ve almost reached a status where if a new show ends up on their network, it’s a must watch.
On January 11, the next series on their every expanding roster premieres and it’s called Lights Out. Executive produced by Warren Leight (Law and Order: Criminal Intent) and starring Holt McCallany (Fight Club), Lights Out centers on an aging, struggling, former heavyweight boxing champion who must decide between returning to the ring or turning to a life of crime. Watch five clips from the show and more after the jump.
Thanks to Geek Tyrant for the heads up on these clips, which include a nice little teaser, an extended look at the boxer that McCallany plays and much more.
Here’s the official description of the show which premieres on January 11 at 10 p.m.
Lights Out, from Executive Producer/Showrunner Warren Leight (In Treatment), stars Holt McCallany (CSI: Miami) as an aging former heavyweight boxing champion who struggles to find his identity and support his wife and three daughters after retiring from the ring. Financial problems leave him at a perilous crossroads – battling the urge to return to boxing or reluctantly accepting a job as a brutal and intimidating debt collector. Catherine McCormack (Braveheart) co-stars as “Theresa Leary,” Lights’ wife who is finishing her medical residency; Pablo Schreiber (Law & Order) as “Johnny Leary,” Lights’ brother and business manager whom Lights put through college; and Stacy Keach (Fat City) as “Pops,” Lights’ father and former trainer who runs the boxing gym owned by Lights. Clark Johnson (The Shield, The Wire) and Norberto Barba (In Treatment, CSI: NY) directed the pilot episode. Series Creator Justin Zackham (The Bucket List), Phillip Noyce (Salt) and Ross Fineman are also Executive Producers. Lights Out is produced by Fox Television Studios and FX Productions.
As I stated in my video review of The Fighter a few months back, I’ve been watching boxing for a long time thanks to my father and though I in no way consider myself an expert, I feel like I have a better grasp on the sport than most. That said, when I first heard about Lights Out, it didn’t grab me. The story seemed like something we’ve seen before. But the more I think about it, the more I trust FX. Everything I’ve heard about the executives there is positive. They pick talented people and let them do their thing. It’s all very hands off, which is pretty obvious from the insane things they allow on air. FX has language and content that few cable networks would consider no matter what time it aired. I think that bodes well for Lights Out.
What do you think? Are you looking forward to this show or will you at least give it a shot?
