FX CEO Doesn't Think "True Detective" Delivers Beyond Movie Star Fanfare

FX CEO John Landgraf says "True Detective" needs to prove itself as being more than just a movie star seeker.

Jul 23, 2014
Image via HBO
Image via HBO

FX CEO John Landgraf threw some major shade at HBO's True Detective during an appearance at the Television Critics Association on Monday.

Landgraf said the fan favorite needs to deliver on more than its movie star leads. As you know the first season starred Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. Big names like Collin Farrell are currently being speculated for the second season.

Here's what Landgraf said:

1.

"...'True Detective' is going to have to prove it's not just a vehicle for movie stars. "[Nic Pizzolatto] is going to have to write something truly great every single year. I think ['Fargo' writer] Noah [Hawley] has already proven he can write something really great."

Seems a little hypocritical don’t ya think? Given FX’s Fargo has a starry cast of its own helmed by Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman, and Bob Odenkirk.

Landgraf justified this by saying the show doesn’t need stars like Thornton, well, now that’s it’s going into its second season. Although he did say a movie star wouldn’t hurt the second season he thinks the show would be perfectly fine even if its cast was a bunch of unknowns. 

UPDATE:

John Landgraf has just released a statement via FX in regards to his comments:

2.

"It seems unreasonable that I should have to issue a clarification for something that was stated clearly in the first place, but nevertheless I repeat, for the record, that I watched True Detective and loved it. I think Nic Pizzolatto wrote something truly great (and Mathew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson and Cary Fukunaga also did absolutely stellar work). Nic has created a very high bar for himself, and as a fan of the show and based on his work in season one, I have no doubt he will clear it by a mile with his second incarnation of True Detective. Also, for the record, I am an avid viewer and fan of many of HBO's outstanding original series, and I have a profound respect for Richard Plepler, Mike Lombardo and their entire gifted team. Anyone who claims to love television but doesn't pay attention to the consistently excellent work that HBO is fostering, would be suspect in my book."

[via The Playlist]

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