'Anger Management' renewal 'very likely'; Martin Sheen to join full time

In the 100-episode dash of FX’s Anger Management, Charlie Sheen is clearing the ratings hurdles.

FX president and general manager John Landgraf says the new comedy series is exceeding the undisclosed ratings threshold required to pick up the show. FX had agreed to order 90 more episodes of the series if the show cleared a certain audience level. According to data for the first six episodes, Sheen is on target to stay on FX for a long time.

“We won’t make a decision on the 90 episodes until all 10 have aired but the series up until now has given us every indication [that it will return],” Landgraf told critics at the TCA press tour in Beverly Hills on Saturday.

Landgraf went on to describe the pickup as “very likely.” And in the biggest indication that the show’s renewal is all but certain, Landgraf said that Sheen’s father, veteran actor Martin Sheen, who’s appearing in the show’s ninth episode (playing, naturally, Charlie’s dad), will join the comedy full time as a series regular for the remaining 90 episodes.

“What the entry of Martin Sheen’s character will do is it will give an extra dimension to the show and make it a multi-generational family show,” Landgraf said. “The show will still deal with his relationship with his patients and the women in his life, but will also [expand to focus on his family].”

Later, Charlie Sheen himself took the stage and added: “I’m excited as hell. I don’t think 90 is going to be enough. I feel we’ve started that we’ve barely scratched the surface.”

Asked for the millionth time about the meltdown that led from his exodus from CBS’ Men, Sheen said: “It was a crazy time and it was like a dream I couldn’t wake up from … like a runaway train I couldn’t get off of — and I was the conductor. It’ll never happen again — that’s the cool thing … I’m not insane anymore.”

FX also announced the renewal of Louie and gave an update on some its other shows. More on that here.