FX's Landgraf to accomplish mission with war show.

JOHN Landgraf thought there should be a TV show about the war in Iraq--but not about any political point of view, just focused on the soldiers fighting and dying there. So he called renowned producer Steven Bochco, who then teamed with Chris Gerolmo to create "Over There." That was a year ago, when Landgraf was president of entertainment for FX.

Now, in his new role as president and general manager of FX Networks, he'll see his idea go into production this week and begin its run in July.

He said it was one of the highlights of his career, "really being there at the inception of a series and then subsequently watching it unfold."

Landgraf said Bochco was initially reluctant to get involved in a series that had the potential for political controversy. "He wanted to make sure we didn't want a political treatise. We think there are great stories and a unique challenge. Nobody's ever done a show about a war while it's been going on," he said.

Landgraf replaces Peter Liguori, who became president of entertainment at Fox Broadcasting Co. In his new role, Landgraf is in charge of all business and programming operations for FX and Fox Movie Channel.

FX has plans to double the number of its original series this year, with two new dramas, including "Over There," two new comedies and a new documentary series.

Before joining FX, Landgraf was president of Jersey Television, which he co-founded with Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher. From 1994 to 1999, he was vice president of primetime series at NBC. While there, he worked on "The West Wing," "Profiler" and "Suddenly Susan."

He is married to Ally Walker, a documentary filmmaker and actor who starred in "Profiler" and played roles in movies such as "While You Were Sleeping" and "Happy, Texas."