DirecTV Could Rescue FX's 'Damages'

Despite critically praised performances by Glenn Close and Rose Byrne, FX's original series 'Damages' hasn't been doing well with viewers -- less than a million people are tuning in each week -- so word of its cancellation wouldn't be surprising, however DirecTV might be lending a hand to rescue the legal-thriller, reports the Ausiello Files.

Michael Ausiello spoke with industry sources that confirmed Sony has been in talks with DirecTV with the hopes of working out a cost-sharing deal, much like NBC did with its ratings loser, 'Friday Night Lights.'

"DirecTV is one of several outlets that have been approached," a source told Ausiello. "All options are on the table."

'Damages' is a show known to push boundaries, especially in its depiction of Close's character, Patty Hewes, a high-stakes lawyer most recently seen heading up an investitagion into a Bernie Madoff-like scandal.

Described as "the most Kafkaesque program ever" by Los Angeles Times writer Neal Gabler, the Hewes character "has an opacity that broadcast television wouldn't tolerate" -- one of many reasons why FX is trying to rescue its critical darling.