With the "American Idol" juggernaut still in full swing and "House" becoming an almost "Grey's Anatomy"-sized megahit, Fox remains a strong performer and the main player in the key demographic. Combined with loyal and large audiences for thriller dramas like "24," "Prison Break" and "Bones" along with animation successes like "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy", it ain't starved for eyeballs.
Yet the network took a small blow this season with none of its new shows announced last year gaining any foothold. Even the likes of "24" and 'Prison' have seen small but noticable declines in their figures - enough for the network to realise it needs to pick up its game a little from last year's crop.
The result is a rather convoluted schedule this season, one more confusing than ever before. As usual Fox has split its schedule up into Fall and Spring, but oddly inserted some shows into different timeslots in the low-rating period of January.
More notable is that many of its scripted dramas, including the high-profile Terminator spin-off "The Sarah Connor Chronicles," are being held back til Spring, with much of the Fall schedule consisting of reality shows. Fox aims to use its coverage of the Superbowl on February 3rd as an opportunity to advertise and launch many of its new shows it seems.
The new shows consist of three reality shows, two dramas and one comedy in the Fall, followed by two more dramas and two comedies in the Spring. No other major changes for pre-existing shows short of Sunday now becoming a fully animated series block, whilst "Bones" sees a timeslot change in the Spring.
Notable omissions of pilots that didn't get picked up include "Them" which tracked a sleeper cell of aliens infiltrating humanity, the Adam Sandler-produced animated comedy "Animals," thriller "Company Man" from the makers of "24" which follows a man blackmailed into spying for the NSA, and a behind-the-scenes look at the Supreme Court in "Supreme Courtships".
Back to You(Comedy, Wednesdays 8pm)
The 90s, the local TV news scene in Pittsburgh was dominated by one team: Chuck Darling (Kelsey Grammer) and Kelly Carr (Patricia Heaton). They had that elusive quality all news teams need: chemistry ... at least on-screen.
Off-screen, Chuck was a bit of an egomaniacal womanizer, Kelly a bit of an uptight know-it-all. So when Chuck got the call to move up to a larger market, no tears were shed. Now, after an embarrassing newscast tirade ends up on the Internet, Chuck finds himself on the downswing career-wise. He's even questioning whether his lifestyle of chasing women and living in hotels is as exciting as it used to be.
So when he gets the call to return to Pittsburgh, to reunite with Kelly and try to take the newscast back to No. 1, it's an offer he can't refuse. Back in Pittsburgh, Chuck has a couple of new co-workers: Montana Diaz Herrera (Aimee Garcia), the perky, sexy, somewhat inept weather anchor, and Ryan Church(Paul Campbell), the overstressed news director.
There are also familiar faces like Marsh McGinley (Fred Willard), the affable, endlessly inappropriate sports anchor, and Gary Crezyzewski, pronounced Kre-shoov-ski (Ty Burrell), the perennially put-upon field reporter who always seems to get left out in the snow. But, mostly, there's Kelly, now a single mom to 10-year-old Gracie (Laura Marano). There was magic between them once. Can they find it again?
Canterbury's Law(Legal Drama, Thursdays 9pm)
Elizabeth Canterbury (Julianna Margulies) is a force of nature. An attorney on the rise, she puts her career on the line to take on risky and unpopular cases, even when they take a toll on her personal life.
Elizabeth and her law professor husband Matthew Canterbury (Linus Roach), haunted by the disappearance of their young son, have settled in Providence, Rhode Island, in an attempt to distance themselves from the tragedy and put their relationship back together. But those goals become elusive whenever Elizabeth's work provides a stark reminder of the justice absent in their own lives.
At the office, Canterbury has surrounded herself with a brilliant but motley crew of attorneys. Russell Cross (Ben Shenkman) was forced out of the Providence District Attorney's Office when he went toe-to-toe with his morally bankrupt boss, D.A. Zach Williams. His reputation tarnished, Russell turned to Canterbury, the only attorney willing to take him in. Now Russell provides a much-needed voice of reason for Canterbury even when she doesn't want to hear it, his position of influence well-earned by their years of friendship.
Chester Fields (Jocko Sims) and Molly McConnell (Trieste Dunn) are the associates rounding out Canterbury's legal crew. Chester is a blue-blooded congressman's son who is embarrassed by his privileged upbringing and has turned his back on politics. Molly, in contrast, is headstrong, passionate and quick to take sides even if she finds herself in the opposite corner from Canterbury. Denis Leary and Jim Serpico produce, Mike Figgis directs.
K-Ville(Cop Drama, Mondays 9pm)
Two years after Katrina, New Orleans is still in chaos. Criminals roam the streets with AK-47s, many cops have quit, and the jails, police stations and crime labs still haven't been rebuilt. But the cops who remain have courage to burn and a passion to reclaim their city.
Marlin Boulet (Anthony Anderson) is a brash, funny, in-your-face veteran of the NOPD's Felony Action Squad, the specialized unit that targets the most-wanted criminals. Even when his partner deserted him during the storm, Boulet held his post, spending days in the water saving lives and keeping order. Now, two years later, he's unapologetic about bending the rules when it comes to collaring bad guys. The stakes are too high, and the city too lawless, for him to do things by the book.
Boulet's new partner, Trevor Cobb (Cole Hause), was a soldier in Afghanistan before joining the NOPD. He's tough and committed, but if he's less than comfortable with Boulet's methods, it's because he's harboring a dark secret. Cobb has come to New Orleans seeking redemption, but redemption can be dangerous. Will Boulet be able to trust him? Will Cobb's past endanger them both?
From the Victorian mansions of the Garden District to the rubble of the Lower 9th Ward. In the aftermath of Katrina, with the future of New Orleans hanging in the balance ... the stakes could not be higher. Maximiliano Hernandez, Blake Shields, Tawny Cypress and John Carroll Lynch also star. Jonathan Lisco produces.
New Amsterdam(Supernatural Drama, Tuesdays 8pm)
The story of a New York homicide detective unlike any other. He is brilliant, mysterious, reckless, magnetic, unknowable. And he has a profound secret he is immortal.
In 1642, John Amsterdam (Nikolaj Coster Waldau), then a Dutch solider in the colony of New Amsterdam later to become New York City stepped in front of a sword intended for a Native Indian girl during a massacre of her indigenous tribe. The girl in turn rescued Amsterdam, weaving an ancient spell that conferred immortality upon him. Amsterdam will not age, she told him, until he finds his one true love. Only then will he become whole and ready for mortality.
But Amsterdam has found this to be a mixed blessing. Over the course of three centuries, he's experienced endless adventure and honed his many talents. But everyone Amsterdam meets must leave him in time; lovers and children die while he remains young. His sole confidante and lifelong friend is the sage jazz club owner Omar (Stephen Henderson), the keeper of Amsterdam's secret, as well as a few of his own.
As the exhilaration of eternal life has given way to emotional isolation and bitter loneliness, Amsterdam discovers the blessing has become a curse. Having witnessed its entire history, from colonial outpost to mega-metropolis, John Amsterdam is the living embodiment of New York City. He and the island of Manhattan are now part and parcel of each other.
Bringing to bear the unorthodox techniques and unique knowledge gained from his vast life experience, Amsterdam today is one of the NYPD's best homicide detectives, sparring with his vibrant, strong-willed partner Eva Marquez (Zuleikha Robinson) as they solve difficult murder cases.
But when Amsterdam suffers and then recovers from what appears to be a massive heart attack while chasing a suspect, and Dr. Sara Dillane (Alexie Gilmore) pronounces him dead in the ER, he realizes that the Indian girl's prophesy may have come true he felt the pain in his heart that she had foretold so long ago. His soul mate must have been nearby.
As he works to find a killer on the streets of New York, Amsterdam understands that his own life and possibly his death have changed forever. Alan Loeb produces and Lasse Hallstrom directs.
The Return of Jezebel James(Drama, Wednesdays 8:30pm)
Can two estranged sisters, polar opposites, really raise a baby together? Sarah Thomkins (Parker Posey) is a bright, optimistic, determined woman who seems to have it all a great job as a children's book editor, an eager-to-please assistant, Buddy (Michael Arden), who helps keep her life together, and a no-strings-attached relationship with successful businessman Marcus Sonti (Scott Cohen).
Nevertheless, as her father, Ronald (Ron McLarty), is constantly pointing out, something is missing from Sarah's life. Her hard work may garner accolades, but when she goes home at night, she is very much alone. All too aware that she isn't getting any younger, Sarah decides to have a baby on her own and gets the shock of her life when the doctor tells her she can't get pregnant.
Having no concept of the term "can't," she wills herself to execute a plan. With nowhere else to turn, Sarah sets up a meeting with her quirky younger sister, Coco (Lauren Ambrose), and asks her to carry her baby. They haven't seen each other in a while, and at first Coco refuses to go along with such a huge favor.
But something happens when Sarah mentions that she's turned Coco's imaginary childhood friend Jezebel James into a children's book. Even though she doesn't say so out loud, Coco is clearly touched, and, realizing that her current living situation sharing a couch with her friend's sick cat isn't working out, Coco decides this just might be worth a try. Amy Sherman-Palladino produces.
The Rules for Starting Over(Comedy, Mid-Season)
Dating is like going to the farmers market if you get there early, there's plenty of fruit, all ripe, juicy and yours for the taking. That's dating in your 20s.
But if you get there at closing time, it's a completely different story. What little fruit is left has been sitting in the sun all day. It's been dropped, squeezed and handled by a thousand different people. That's dating in your 30s. Set in Boston, a group of newly single friends learn the painful lessons of starting over in their 30s. They'd all love to get re-married, if they could just find their true loves.
Jack 'Gator' Gately (Craig Bierko) is a charismatic, optimistic leader who never expected to be single again. But now that he is, he's determined to make the best of it. He's going to sift through all the bruised, damaged, occasionally psychotic fruit until he finds "the one." Along the way, Gator and his buddies will chronicle their dating misadventures in a cautionary list of dating don'ts, such as: "if she's still nursing, it's too soon," "learn to identify gang tattoos" and "Pretty Woman' is not a documentary."
Joining Gator in bachelorhood redux is his thrice-divorced best friend Tommy (Johnny Sneed). The founder and brewmaster of an upstart microbrewery, Tommy has a voracious appetite for everything food, beer and women. He falls in love easily and always disastrously, yet truly hopes his fourth starter marriage will be "the one."
Also single again is Gator's college roommate Bill (Shaun Majumder), a successful but hopelessly nave surgeon. Bill is probably the least equipped of the group to handle this life change. While he can execute a triple bypass in his sleep, he's all thumbs when it comes to the opposite sex.
Rounding out the group is Kate (Rashida Jones), a smart, successful attorney who handled all three of the boys' divorces. Having just turned 30, Kate finds herself dumped after a seven-year engagement. She reluctantly joins the guys in negotiating the treacherous waters of dating after 29. Kate owns the brownstone next to Gator's. Over time, this pair may find that "the one" is just a brick wall away. Bobby and Peter Farrelly produce.
The Sarah Connor Chronicles(Sci-Fi Drama, Sundays 9pm)
An intense new drama based on the celebrated heroine of the "Terminator" movies: Sarah Connor. At the end of "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," Sarah vanquished the liquid metal Terminator sent from the future to kill her teenage son, John.
Sarah and John now find themselves alone in a very dangerous, complicated world. Fugitives from the law, they are confronted with the reality that still more enemies from the future, and the present, could attack at any moment.
This reveals what happens when Sarah Connor (Lena Headey) stops running and goes on the offensive against an ever-evolving technological enemy bent on destroying her life, and perhaps the world. Her son, 15-year-old John Connor (Thomas Dekker), knows that he may be the future savior of mankind, but is not yet ready to take on the mantle of leadership that he's told is his destiny.
John finds himself inextricably drawn to Cameron (Summer Glau), an enigmatic and otherworldly student at his high school, who soon proves to be much more than his confidante she assumes the role of Sarah and John's fearless protector.
On their trail are not only threats from the future, but an intelligent and tough FBI agent, James Ellison (Richard T. Jones), who soon becomes a powerful ally. Owain Yeoman also stars. Josh Friedman and David Nutter produce.
Kitchen Nighmares
(Reality, Thursdays 9pm)
Hell hath no fury like an angry chef, and no chef has a sharper temper than Gordon Ramsay when things go wrong in the kitchen. The star of culinary boot camp "Hell's Kitcher" returns to FOX with another sizzling unscripted series, "Kitchen Nightmares". This time, Chef Ramsay hits the road, in each episode tackling a restaurant in crisis and exposing the stressful realities of trying to run a successful food business.
Nashville
(Reality, Fridays 9pm)
From the creative minds behind the hit series "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County" comes "Nashville", a high-stakes, high-drama docu-soap set in "the biggest small town in America." The show focuses on the dreamers and dream-makers in the music industry, as well as those trying to make their mark on Nashville's big business and high society. The series features a diverse, vibrant young cast perched on the cusp of achieving their greatest successes in a town that can make you or break you. Talent, power, drive, love and hope are the fuel that makes Nashville burn bright and makes this unique place the true embodiment of the American Dream.
The Search for the Next Great American Band
(Reality, Fridays 8pm)
The producers behind mega-hit phenomenon "American Idol" take the musical reality genre to a whole new level when they embark on a quest to find the next American band sensation that will take the nation by storm.
"The Search for the Next Great American Band" will scour the country, seeking musical groups of all ages, styles and genres, with hundreds of bands auditioning for a shot at stardom. After the auditions, judges will narrow down hopefuls from all walks of musical life young and old, family and friends, garage bands and weekend warriors to 10 semi-finalists who will perform in front of a live studio audience.
Viewers will then get a chance to vote for their favorite bands via telephone and text messaging and determine who stays in the competition. Each week, the bands will be challenged with varied musical themes, jazzing up each of the performance shows as their skills in a wide spectrum of musical styles are put to the test along with their personal and professional relationships. Finally, in a not-to-be-missed showdown, the final three bands will compete to secure a recording contract. If you think "American Idol" is intense, wait until you see what a band must go through for its shot at fame.
Renewals include "24," "American Dad," "American Idol," "America's Most Wanted," "Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?," "Bones," "Cops," "Family Guy," "House," "King of the Hill," "MADtv," "Prison Break," "The Simpsons," "Talk Show with Spike Feresten," "Til Death."
Cancellations include "Drive," "Happy Hour," "Justice," "The Loop," "The O.C.," "The Rich List," "Stand-off," "Vanished," "The Wedding Bells," "The War at Home," "The Winner."
The nightly FOX schedule will be as follows:
AUGUST TO DECEMBER 2007:
MONDAY
8pm: "Prison Break"
9pm: "K-Ville"
TUESDAY
8pm: "New Amsterdam"
9pm: "House"
WEDNESDAY
8pm: "Back to You"
8:30pm: "'Til Death"
9pm: "Bones"
THURSDAY
8pm: "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?"
9pm: "Kitchen Nightmares"
FRIDAY
8pm: "The Search For The Next Great American Band"
9pm: "Nashville"
SATURDAY
8pm: "Cops"
9pm: "America's Most Wanted: America Strikes Back"
SUNDAY
7pm: "The OT" (NFL Post-Game)
8pm: "The Simpsons"
8:30pm: "King of the Hill"
9pm: "Family Guy"
9:30pm: "American Dad"
JANUARY TO MAY 2008:
MONDAY
8pm: "K-Ville"(Jan)/"Prison Break"(Mar)
9pm: "24"
TUESDAY
8pm: "American Idol"
9pm: "House"
WEDNESDAY
8pm: "Back to You"
8:30pm: "'Til Death"(Jan)/"The Return of Jezebel James"(Mar)
9pm: "American Idol"(Jan)/"American Idol Results Show"(Mar)
9:30pm: "American Idol"(Jan)/"'Til Death"(Mar)
THURSDAY
8pm: "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?"
9pm: "Canterbury's Law"
FRIDAY
8pm: "Bones"
9pm: "New Amsterdam"
SATURDAY
8pm: "Cops"
9pm: "America's Most Wanted: America Strikes Back"
SUNDAY
7pm: "King of the Hill"
7:30pm: "American Dad"
8pm: "The Simpsons"
8:30pm: "Family Guy"
9pm: "The Sarah Connor Chronicles"
