Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

People: Denis Leary to debut new comedy on FX

From Wire Reports

Denis Leary, who earned praise for his portrayal as a troubled firefighter in FX’s “Rescue Me,” is returning to FX with a half-hour comedy: “Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll,” premiering July 16, which allows the 57-year-old Massachusetts native to flex both his comedic and musical muscles.

Leary stars as Johnny Rock, the leader of an early ’90s rock band that flamed out after a blazing debut. Washed up and all but forgotten, Rock’s world is overturned when a beautiful young woman named Gigi (Elizabeth Gillies) with an amazing singing voice lands in his life. She says she is his daughter from a decades-old fling.

Gigi wants Rock help to launch her own singing career. Seeing a chance at redemption, Rock smoothes things over with his former bandmates, reunites the group and plunges them back into the music scene.

In addition to heading the cast, Leary is the creator, executive producer and writer of the series. He is also the composer of all the music.

FX is thrilled to have Leary back in its corner. “Rescue Me” was widely celebrated for its intense action sequences and emotional salute to firefighters following 9/11.

“ ‘Rescue Me’ is one of the pillars that FX was built on,” said Nick Grad, president of original programming for FX Networks. “It was always our evil plan to get Denis back on the network.”

Co-starring in the series along with Leary are John Corbett (“Sex and the City”), John Ales, Bobby Kelly and Elaine Hendrix.

Aretha Franklin sings Illinois’ praises

Aretha Franklin’s spokesman says the Queen of Soul is grateful to the state of Illinois for its help when her tour bus broke down on the way to Chicago.

Transmission problems stopped the bus around 1:20 a.m. Monday a few miles from downtown on eastbound Interstate 290.

Franklin’s assistants couldn’t find a car service with an available vehicle. That’s when the Illinois State Police stepped in.

Three units from the ISP, and three from the Illinois Department of Transportation, drove Franklin and her entourage to their hotel.

Franklin’s reaction? Spokesman Clarence Waldron says the singer exclaimed, “Hallelujah!” and said, “God was right on time.”

The birthday bunch

Bandleader Doc Severinsen is 88. Drummer Ringo Starr is 75. Actor Joe Spano is 69. Singer David Hodo (The Village People) is 68. Actress Shelley Duvall is 66. Singer-songwriter Vonda Shepard (“Ally McBeal”) is 52. Comedian Jim Gaffigan is 49. Actress Jorja Fox (“CSI”) is 47. Actress Berenice Bejo (“The Artist”) is 39. Actor Hamish Linklater (“The New Adventures of Old Christine”) is 39. Drummer Ashton Irwin (5 Seconds of Summer) is 21.