Former Riches star Minnie Driver graces ABC’s Modern Family with her enormously talented presence during the brand-new February 3 episode called “Moon Landing.”

The Academy Award-nominated English actress drops by to play Valerie, an old friend of Julie Bowen’s character Claire.

Rumors had been spreading for a while, but a network spokesperson finally confirmed the bad news to Entertainment Weekly yesterday: FX has decided not to renew the Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver dramedy The Riches for a third season.
I and other fans were afraid this would happen, if only because the series was such a unique show that really required continuous viewing to fully appreciate all of the many, many comedic and dramatic nuances. Still, it would have been great to see the gem continue, lower ratings be darned.
One thing fans don’t have to worry about is the careers …read more

On the premature second-season finale of The Riches, “The Lying King” the Malloy family grows further and further apart as the Bayou Hills deal seems closer and closer to disaster. Meanwhile, at the Traveller camp, Rosaleen encourages Cael to stay, just as Quinn wants.
The Riches airs Tuesdays on FX at 10pm EST.

Photo: FX

I like the title of the April 22 episode of The Riches, the next-to-last installment of the second season, because it reminds me of one of the more entertaining thrillers about deceptive people, the Australian movie of the same name starring Nicole Kidman, Sam Neill, and Billy Zane.
This “Dead Calm” has nothing to do with boats or bodies of water, though, because the deceitful Malloys ply their trade on land. As the series builds up to the premature season finale, Cael finds (puppy?) love at a Traveller camp, while his mom Dahlia struggles with the extent of her husband …read more

On the April 15 episode of The Riches, “Trust Never Sleeps,” the individual members of the Malloy family continue to get increasingly entangled in their deceptive lives.
Wayne not only has to cope with the deepening danger of his involvement in the Bayou Hills deal, but the arrival of a stranger makes him anxious about his and Dale’s secret. His wife Dahlia and son Cael undergo their share of angst brought on by their decisions, as well.
The Riches airs Tuesdays on FX at 10pm EST.

Photo: FX

Original Air Date: April 6, 2008
NOTE: This series and recap contain mature themes and language.
DAHLIA walks into a Louisiana police station and tells a cop named DEVEREAUX (Guest Star Ntare Mwine) that she just got out of jail three months ago and violated her parole in Alabama when she left the state without checking in with her parole officer. She then launches into a farfetched story about searching for her husband, who allegedly left with her children, but the cop sees right through it.
Claiming that he’s sick of people disrespecting him by lying right to his face, the cop …read more

It’s double-trouble time for Wayne Malloy on the April 1 episode of The Riches, “Field of Dreams.”
First, he has to cope with Eden Falls, where Cael’s bad behavior causes a stir at school. Then, he has to deal with Hugh, who’s scared the Bayou Hills transaction might fail.
The Riches airs Tuesdays on FX at 10pm EST.

Photo: FX

Coming up next on The Riches: “Friday Night Lights.” And, no — the episode has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with football or the NBC series of the same name or the feature film, although I wouldn’t mind a guest-star appearance by Kyle Chandler.
This installment picks up exactly where the last one left off, with Dahlia, her children and mom, and Nina in Blunt, Texas. You’ll never guess what happens next, and I can’t wait to find out how the Malloy brood gets out of the dangerous situation while Wayne remains in Eden Falls with oddballs Dale and …read more

Oscar, Emmy, and Golden Globe nominee Minnie Driver stopped by Ellen DeGeneres‘ show on Monday morning, a fitting time since the English star of The Riches is part Irish and yesterday was St. Patrick’s Day.
Of course, the actress’ recently confirmed pregnancy was a major topic of discussion, along with her black Labrador Buddy, which apparently isn’t too thrilled at the moment about her expanding belly.
The interview actually fit into one commercial-free segment. But, Driver, who freely admits she spends a lot of time upchucking these days, was nice enough to stick around for a game-show type feature afterwards.
Two audience …read more

Basic cable’s FX has a penchant for creating original series with enough personality and drama to pack a huge punch. In other words, when you watch an episode of such shows, the events stick with you long after the last scene has faded from the TV screen.
Tonight at 10pm EST, one of those series will return for its abbreviated second season, thanks to you know what. I’m talking about the Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver dramedy The Riches, of course, which kicks things off with the premiere episode “The Last Temptation of Wayne.” Although patriarch Wayne will …read more