The League
Encyclopedia
The League is an American sitcom that premiered on FX on October 29, 2009. The series, set in Chicago
, is a semi-improvised comedy about a fantasy football league
, its members, and their everyday lives.
and Jackie Marcus Schaffer and Jeff Schaffer also directing. The series is executive produced by Jeff Schaffer, Jackie Marcus Schaffer and the production company, FX Productions.
When the series was given a pilot order several roles were cast with, Mark Duplass
playing Pete Eckhart, Stephen Rannazzisi
playing Kevin MacArthur, Nick Kroll
playing Rodney Ruxin, Paul Scheer
playing Andre Nowzik, Jon Lajoie
playing Taco MacArthur and Katie Aselton
playing Jenny MacArthur.
The League was given a series order on August 20, 2009 with six episodes. A second 13 episode season of The League premiered on September 16, 2010 on FX. On January 15, 2011, it was announced that the series had been picked up for a third season, which premiered on October 6, 2011.
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, is a semi-improvised comedy about a fantasy football league
Fantasy football (American)
Fantasy football is an interactive, virtual competition in which people manage professional football players versus one another and that allows people to act as general managers of a pseudo-football team. The players that an individual is able to manage are professional American Football players...
, its members, and their everyday lives.
Synopsis
The series revolves around six friends who participate in a fantasy football league. The show follows the friends, who will do anything to win, while also dealing with a variety of situations that occur in their everyday lives.Main Characters
- Mark DuplassMark DuplassMark David Duplass is an American film director, film producer, actor, and screenwriter.Duplass was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is the brother of director and writer Jay Duplass. He is married to his co-star on The League, Katie Aselton. Duplass is considered to be one of the founders of...
as Pete Eckhart, the three-time champion of the league; recently separated from his wife. Currently single, he has tried meeting women on several occasions. Pete has a small reputation in the league for tricking his friends (such as Andre) into making bad player trades. He works out of a cubicle, though avoids doing actual work as much as possible. - Stephen RannazzisiStephen RannazzisiStephen Rannazzisi is an American actor who has appeared in Paul Blart: Mall Cop and currently is featured in the FX television show The League and on the NBC show "Love Bites".He hails from Smithtown, New York, on Long Island....
as Kevin MacArthur, an assistant district attorney; league commissioner. Pete's best friend. Since he has difficulty competing in the league on his own, he often takes football knowledge from his wife, Jenny, thus convincing the other guys that she runs his team. Jenny eventually joins the league herself. He is the only member of the League to have never played in the Shiva Bowl. - Nick KrollNick KrollNick Kroll is an American actor and comedian best known for appearing in television shows such as Best Week Ever, Cavemen and Sit Down, Shut Up. He co-stars in the shows The Life & Times of Tim and The League....
as Rodney Ruxin, a Jewish product-liability attorney who will go to great lengths to do well in the league, but has shown an eagerness to please his wife that surpasses his love for the league. He is shown to be extremely paranoid, often thinking that his opponents are "trying to get into his head," but his paranoid hunches have been correct on at least one occasion (in "Expert Witness"). In the episode "The Bounce Test," the character himself describes his physical appearance as follows: "I look like a Nazi propaganda cartoon of a Jew." He and Sofia currently have one child named Geoffrey (A.K.A. "Baby Geoffrey") and own a dog named Cale. Despite it being his first name, he hates being referred to as "Rodney" and prefers it when people call him Ruxin. He won the League championship at the end of season 2. When he was in high school he had a reputation for dating obese girls that had resemblances to "cattle", giving him the dubious honor of having the nickname "The Herdsman". He inherited his sarcastic nature from his father, Rupert (Jeff Goldblum), who also prefers his friends call him Ruxin. - Paul ScheerPaul ScheerPaul Christian Scheer is an American comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He co-created and starred in MTV's sketch comedy series Human Giant and currently co-stars as Andre on the FX comedy The League. He also currently stars as Trent Hauser on the Adult Swim show NTSF:SD:SUV:: which he created...
as Andre Nowzik, a rich plastic surgeon whose naivete makes him the brunt of many jokes. He wears what he believes to be trendy clothing that actually makes him look foolish and often uses cliche catch phrases such as "Child Please!", "Try the Veal", and "Homie Don't Play That". Furthermore, he's hosted the last two drafts; the first season he hosted at his house and the second season in Las Vegas. In the first episode of the second season he renamed the trophy "The Dre" which was then renamed by the rest of the crew as "The SheDre" (A hybrid between the original name "The Shiva" and "The Dre"). - Jon LajoieJon LajoieJonathan "Jon" Lajoie is a Canadian comedian, actor, rapper, singer, musician and Internet celebrity from Montreal, Quebec.- Background :...
as Taco MacArthur, Kevin's younger brother, a perpetually stoned and unemployed musician. He doesn't care or know much about football, but has won the League Championship at least once, evident by his handwritten name on the trophy. He oftentimes hooks up with women easily, and lives via handouts from his brother and "Eskimo family tree" (people who have slept with women he has slept with), making his own food and personal hygiene products, and bartering. He also makes ringtones, which often include noises which come from animals. Taco takes martial arts, owns a naginataNaginataThe naginata is one of several varieties of traditionally made Japanese blades in the form of a pole weapon. Naginata were originally used by the samurai class in feudal Japan, and naginata were also used by ashigaru and sōhei .-Description:A naginata consists of a wooden shaft with a curved...
(a long pole with a blade at the end) and is studying the arts of naginatajutsu. He usually means well but his acts of kindness usually have disastrous results. He is perhaps the most emotional of the League, prone to crying when his feelings are hurt. In the unrated version of season 1, Ruxin claimed that the reason Taco is such a "frittata" is because they made him smoke marijuana when he was 8. - Katie AseltonKatie AseltonKatie Aselton is an American film director, producer, and actress from Milbridge, Maine. She is married to her co-star on The League, Mark Duplass. She directed and co-starred in The Freebie, which was shown in the non-competition "Next" category at the Sundance Film Festival in 2010...
as Jenny MacArthur, Kevin's wife, who helps him run his team and has as much enthusiasm for the League as the actual members do. For season 2, Jenny wanted her own team for the league, but she was outvoted by Ruxin's brother-in-law, Rafi. Later she is introduced into the League to replace Rafi and went as far as the Shiva Bowl.
Recurring Characters
- Nadine VelazquezNadine VelazquezNadine Velazquez is an American actress and model known for her role as Catalina Aruca on My Name Is Earl.-Early life:...
as Sofia Ruxin - Jason MantzoukasJason MantzoukasJason Mantzoukas is an American actor and comedian currently appearing as Rafi in the FX comedy series The League.-Life and career:Mantzoukas began performing improvisational comedy in college. He attended Middlebury College in Vermont. After college, Mantzoukas studied music and lived abroad for...
as Rafi, Sofia's brother
Notable NFL players and analysts as guest stars
- NFL on FoxNFL on FOXNFL on Fox is the brand name of the Fox Broadcasting Company's coverage of the National Football League's National Football Conference games, produced by Fox Sports...
analyst and former Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
quarterback Terry BradshawTerry BradshawTerry Paxton Bradshaw is a former American football quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League . He played 14 seasons. He is a football analyst and co-host of Fox NFL Sunday...
in Season 1 Episode 3 "Sunday at Ruxin's" - San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
tight end Antonio GatesAntonio GatesAntonio Gates is an American football tight end for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003 after playing college basketball at Kent State University...
in Season 1 Episode 4 "Mr. McGibblets" - New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
wide receiver Chad Ochocinco in Season 2 Episode 1 "Vegas Draft" - Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
kick return specialist Josh Cribbs and Baltimore RavensBaltimore RavensThe Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
linebacker Terrell SuggsTerrell SuggsTerrell Raymonn Suggs is an American football linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Ravens tenth overall in the 2003 NFL Draft after playing his college football at Arizona State....
in Season 2 Episode 3 "The White Knuckler" - Jacksonville JaguarsJacksonville JaguarsThe Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
running back Maurice Jones-DrewMaurice Jones-DrewMaurice Christopher Jones-Drew is a professional American football player who currently plays running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League . He was drafted in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
, Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
cornerback Brent GrimesBrent GrimesBrent Omar Grimes is an American football cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
and Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
wide receiver Sidney RiceSidney Rice-Minnesota Vikings :Rice was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. He signed a four year contract with the Vikings in 2007....
in Season 3 Episode 1 "The Lockout" - ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
fantasy football analyst Matthew BerryMatthew BerryMatthew Berry is an ESPN fantasy sports analyst and ESPN.com columnist. He writes under the nickname "the Talented Mr. Roto," or "TMR". Berry currently works as ESPN's senior director of fantasy sports.-Hollywood writer:...
in Season 3 Episode 3 "The Au Pair"
The League's League
- The stars of The League actually play in a real fantasy football league on Fox Fantasy with the show's creators.
Production
The League was given a pilot order on July 15, 2009, with the pilot written by Jeff SchafferJeff Schaffer
Jeff Schaffer is an American film and television director, writer, and producer.-Television:Schaffer wrote several episodes of Seinfeld. He also served as executive producer during season 9...
and Jackie Marcus Schaffer and Jeff Schaffer also directing. The series is executive produced by Jeff Schaffer, Jackie Marcus Schaffer and the production company, FX Productions.
When the series was given a pilot order several roles were cast with, Mark Duplass
Mark Duplass
Mark David Duplass is an American film director, film producer, actor, and screenwriter.Duplass was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is the brother of director and writer Jay Duplass. He is married to his co-star on The League, Katie Aselton. Duplass is considered to be one of the founders of...
playing Pete Eckhart, Stephen Rannazzisi
Stephen Rannazzisi
Stephen Rannazzisi is an American actor who has appeared in Paul Blart: Mall Cop and currently is featured in the FX television show The League and on the NBC show "Love Bites".He hails from Smithtown, New York, on Long Island....
playing Kevin MacArthur, Nick Kroll
Nick Kroll
Nick Kroll is an American actor and comedian best known for appearing in television shows such as Best Week Ever, Cavemen and Sit Down, Shut Up. He co-stars in the shows The Life & Times of Tim and The League....
playing Rodney Ruxin, Paul Scheer
Paul Scheer
Paul Christian Scheer is an American comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He co-created and starred in MTV's sketch comedy series Human Giant and currently co-stars as Andre on the FX comedy The League. He also currently stars as Trent Hauser on the Adult Swim show NTSF:SD:SUV:: which he created...
playing Andre Nowzik, Jon Lajoie
Jon Lajoie
Jonathan "Jon" Lajoie is a Canadian comedian, actor, rapper, singer, musician and Internet celebrity from Montreal, Quebec.- Background :...
playing Taco MacArthur and Katie Aselton
Katie Aselton
Katie Aselton is an American film director, producer, and actress from Milbridge, Maine. She is married to her co-star on The League, Mark Duplass. She directed and co-starred in The Freebie, which was shown in the non-competition "Next" category at the Sundance Film Festival in 2010...
playing Jenny MacArthur.
The League was given a series order on August 20, 2009 with six episodes. A second 13 episode season of The League premiered on September 16, 2010 on FX. On January 15, 2011, it was announced that the series had been picked up for a third season, which premiered on October 6, 2011.
DVD release
Fox Home Entertainment released the first season on DVD and Blu-ray on September 14, 2010. On August 3, 2011, Fox Home Entertainment announced that the second season would be released on DVD and Blu-ray on October 4, 2011.| DVD Name | Region 1 Release Date | Region 2 Release Date | Region 4 Release Date | Ep # | Discs | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season One | September 14, 2010 | TBA | TBA | 6 | 2 | Extended Episodes, Deleted Scenes, Blooper Reel, "Andre: Dress with Style, Win with Style", "Legalize Kevin's Pubic Smoke", "Alt Nation", "Mr. McGibblets Fun House and Dojo", "Three Penis Wine Infomerical", "Vaginal Hubris Extended", "Birthday Song" and the pilot of Archer Archer (TV series) Archer is an American animated television series created by Adam Reed for the FX network. A preview of the series aired on September 17, 2009. The first season premiered on January 14, 2010. The show carries a TV-MA-LSV rating.... . |
| Season Two | October 4, 2011 | TBA | TBA | 13 | 2 | Extended Episodes, Deleted Scenes, Gag Reel, "Taco Tones Productions Presents: Vinegar Strokes", "Taco Tones Productions Presents: I'm Inside Me, Notarize!", "El Notario", "Andre's Extended Fads" and "Ruxin's Wedding Video". |