Having already announced that the network is cutting down on new scripted shows for this summer, FOX unveiled programming rosters Thursday for fall and January launches.
Like this year, the January launch is based around the return of “24” and the fifth season of “American Idol.” The fall schedule — which will launch before FOX cuts away for playoff baseball and will start again in November — is based around five new dramas and two new comedies.
In terms of dramas, FOX is adding “Prison Break,” “Bones,” “Head Cases,” “Reunion” and “The Gate,” with “Kitchen Confidential” and “The War at Home” leading the comedy side.
“FOX has achieved an amazing set of milestones this season, including finishing as the No. 1 network in Adults 18-49 for the first time in the network’s 19-year history. This success is a testament to the dedicated team at FOX,” says Peter Liguori, FOX’s new entertainment president. “Additionally, we’re launching a bold, balanced and stable schedule. We’ll have returning shows on all seven nights of the week, and we’re scheduling 12 comedies this fall – far more than any network. There is no question that we plan to be aggressive and competitive with this spectacular and youthful year-round schedule.”
Beginning in the fall, “Arrested Development” will start things off on Mondays, setting up “Kitchen Confidential,” a loose adaptation of Anthony Bourdain’s memoir starring Bradley Cooper. The high concept drama “Prison Break,” takes the 9 p.m. ET hour.
Tuesday will focus on drama, starting with “Bones,” a humorous offering about a forensic anthropologist, with Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz (“Angel”). The medical drama “House” keeps its 9 p.m. slot to start the season.
Wednesday brings back comedies “That ’70s Show” (now missing Ashton Kutcher and Topher Grace) and “Stacked,” which will be used to set up the legal series “Head Cases,” which features Chris O’Donnell and Adam Goldberg as slightly unhinged lawyers.
“The O.C.” has given FOX its best Thursday traction in years and it remains on TV’s biggest night, now serving as a lead-in to “Reunion,” a concept series that spans 20 years in a single season.
On Fridays, FOX will start with an hour of comedy, starting with “The Bernie Mac Show” and “Malcolm in the Middle,” which moves from Sunday. “The Gate,” about criminals and the cops who fight them in San Francisco, will follow at 9 p.m.
FOX will continue its tradition of “COPS” and “America’s Most Wanted” on Saturdays. Sunday will see an almost entirely animated lineup, beginning with random animation encores at 7 p.m., leading into “King of the Hill.” “The Simpsons” return at 8, followed by “The War at Home,” a live action comedy with Michael Rapaport. “Family Guy” and “American Dad” will continue to at the 9 p.m. hour.
This schedule will change come January.
At that time, FOX moves “House” from its stable Tuesday home to Monday, where it will take the 8 p.m. hour, providing a strong lead-in for a new season of “24” at 9 p.m.
“American Idol” returns to its Tuesday 8 p.m. home. Provided it doesn’t get cancelled, “Bones” will be the lucky beneficiary of the “Idol” lead-in when it moves to 9.
On Wednesday, “That ’70s Show” and “Stacked” will remain, with “Idol” returning for the results at 9. The new comedy “The Loop,” with Bret Harrison, will get the 9:30 slot.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday will remain the same.
Credit: Zap2It.
