Technically, the first scheduling domino of the WGA strike fell a couple of days ago, when ABC shelved the planned ate November premiere of "Cashmere Mafia" so they'd have more scripted inventory for later in the season. But that's nothing compared to the major overhaul that Fox is introducing, that includes keeping "24" on the shelf until all the season seven episodes can be produced and running "House" and "American Idol" as often as possible.Fox was always going to be the network best situated to deal with a long strike on "Idol" alone, and even without "24," the network has a large backlog of midseason shows, and their animated series won't be affected by the strike (this season, anyway). For once, I can't make fun of Fox for reshuffling their schedule again (though, as you'll see below, it's still needlessly complicated).
I don't usually reproduce full press releases (or close to it), but the changes here are so numerous that it's easier to just copy and paste. Full details after the jump...
In light of the recently announced strike by The Writers Guild of America, FOX has revised its lineup for January and the remainder of the 2007-2008 season. (The new schedule is subject to change, pending resolution of the strike.)Descriptions of the new series omitted for brevity's sake, but the short version is that "Sarah Connor Chronicles" is the "Terminator" spin-off with Lena Headey, "New Amsterdam" is the draa about the immortal cop, "Jezebel James" is the Amy Sherman-Palladino sitcom with Parker Posey and Lauren Ambrose, "Moment of Truth" is the lie detector game show, "Unhitched" is the Farrely brothers-produced sitcom with Craig Bierko and Rashida Jones, "When Women Rule the World" is another reality show where a bunch of people are put in "a primitive, remote location" where the women are allowed to call the shots, and "Canterbury's Law" is a legal drama with Julianna Margulies, from Denis Leary's production company.
The highly anticipated drama TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES will have a two-night premiere on Sunday, Jan. 13 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and Monday, Jan. 14 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), the show’s regular time period. PRISON BREAK, which has its last November airing on Monday, Nov. 12 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), returns to Mondays (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) beginning Jan. 14.
The seventh season premiere of 24 is being postponed to ensure that “Day 7” can air uninterrupted, in its entirety.
Television’s No. 1 show, AMERICAN IDOL, returns for Season Seven with a two-night, four-hour premiere event Tuesday, Jan. 15 and Wednesday, Jan. 16 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). New game show THE MOMENT OF TRUTH premieres Wednesday, Jan. 23 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).
Two popular FOX dramas take over Friday nights starting Friday, Jan. 4, when BONES has its time period premiere at 8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT and encores of HOUSE begin weekly appointments at 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT. Comedy ‘TIL DEATH also moves to Fridays, beginning with the time period premiere on Friday, March 7 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT).
HOUSE will air in its regular time period after AMERICAN IDOL on Tuesdays (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) starting Jan. 22, and also will encore on Mondays (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) beginning March 10. An original episode of HOUSE with guest star Mira Sorvino will immediately follow Super Bowl XLII on Sunday, Feb. 3, as previously announced.
In addition to AMERICAN IDOL, the Sunday-night animated comedies – THE SIMPSONS, KING OF THE HILL, FAMILY GUY and AMERICAN DAD – as well as ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5th GRADER?, DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS!, COPS and AMERICA’S MOST WANTED: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK all will continue with original episodes, while a mix of original and encore episodes is currently planned for HOUSE, BONES, ‘TIL DEATH and BACK TO YOU. Encore episodes of BACK TO YOU will follow AMERICAN IDOL on Wednesdays (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) beginning March 12.
Several new and returning shows are set to premiere in the spring. The drama NEW AMSTERDAM debuts Friday, Feb. 22 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). The Farrelly Brothers comedy UNHITCHED premieres Sunday, March 2 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) for a six-week run in the time period. On Monday, March 3, unscripted role-reversal series WHEN WOMEN RULE THE WORLD (working title) debuts (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). Friday, March 7 marks the series premiere of comedy THE RETURN OF JEZEBEL JAMES (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT). Fiery chef Gordon Ramsay suffers no fools on Tuesday, April 1 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), when HELL’S KITCHEN returns for Season Four. And new drama CANTERBURY’S LAW starts making its case Friday, April 11 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).
RECAP – FOX JANUARY THROUGH MAYThoughts?
(All times ET/PT except as noted)
MONDAY
Monday, Jan. 7:
7:30 PM-CC ET ALLSTATE BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
(LIVE)
Mondays, beginning Jan. 14:
8:00-9:00 PM PRISON BREAK
9:00-10:00 PM TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES
(Time Period Premiere)
Monday, March 3:
8:00-9:00 PM WHEN WOMEN RULE THE WORLD (wt)
(Series Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES
Mondays, beginning March 10:
8:00-9:00 PM WHEN WOMEN RULE THE WORLD (wt)
9:00-10:00 PM HOUSE (Time Period Premiere)
***************************
TUESDAY
Tuesday, Jan. 1:
8:00 PM-CC ET ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL (LIVE)
Tuesday, Jan. 15:
8:00-10:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Season Premiere, Part 1)
Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 22:
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Time Period Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM HOUSE
Tuesdays, beginning April 1:
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL
9:00-10:00 PM HELL’S KITCHEN (Season Premiere)
***************************
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, Jan. 2:
7:30 PM-CC ET TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL (LIVE)
Wednesday, Jan. 16:
8:00-10:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Season Premiere, Part 2)
Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 23:
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL
9:00-10:00 PM THE MOMENT OF TRUTH (Series Premiere)
Wednesdays, beginning March 12:
8:00-9:00 PM THE MOMENT OF TRUTH (Time Period Premiere)
9:00-9:30 PM AMERICAN IDOL
9:30-10:00 PM BACK TO YOU (Time Period Premiere)
***************************
THURSDAY
Thursday, Jan. 3:
7:30 PM-CC ET FEDEX ORANGE BOWL (LIVE)
Thursdays, beginning Jan. 10 (No changes to lineup):
8:00-9:00 PM ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5th GRADER?
9:00-10:00 PM DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS!
***************************
FRIDAY
Fridays, beginning Jan. 4:
8:00-9:00 PM BONES (Time Period Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM HOUSE (Time Period Premiere)
Friday, Feb. 22:
8:00-9:00 PM BONES
9:00-10:00 PM NEW AMSTERDAM (Series Premiere)
Fridays, beginning March 7:
8:00-8:30 PM ‘TIL DEATH (Time Period Premiere)
8:30-9:00 PM THE RETURN OF JEZEBEL JAMES (Series Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM NEW AMSTERDAM
Fridays, beginning April 11:
8:00-8:30 PM ‘TIL DEATH
8:30-9:00 PM THE RETURN OF JEZEBEL JAMES
9:00-10:00 PM CANTERBURY’S LAW (Series Premiere)
***************************
SATURDAY
Saturdays, beginning Jan. 5: (No changes to lineup)
8:00-8:30 PM COPS
8:30-9:00 PM COPS
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICA’S MOST WANTED: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK
11:00 PM-Midnight MADtv
Midnight-12:30 AM TALKSHOW WITH SPIKE FERESTEN
***************************
SUNDAY
Sundays, beginning Jan. 6: (No changes to lineup)
7:00-7:30 PM VARIOUS COMEDY ENCORES
7:30-8:00 PM VARIOUS COMEDY ENCORES
8:00-9:00 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM KING OF THE HILL
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM AMERICAN DAD
Sunday, Jan. 13:
7:00-7:30 PM VARIOUS COMEDY ENCORES (West Coast only)
7:30-8:00 PM VARIOUS COMEDY ENCORES (West Coast only)
8:00-9:00 PM TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES
(Series Premiere)
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM AMERICAN DAD
Sunday, Feb. 3 (Super Bowl Sunday):
6:00 PM ET SUPER BOWL XLII (Approx. 4 hours, LIVE)
Approx. 10:00 PM ET HOUSE (Original episode; guest star Mira Sorvino)
Sundays, beginning March 2:
7:00-7:30 PM COMEDY ENCORES
(West Coast only on 3/2 due to NASCAR)
7:30-8:00 PM COMEDY ENCORES
(West Coast only on 3/2 due to NASCAR)
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM KING OF THE HILL
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM UNHITCHED (Series Premiere)
Sundays, beginning April 13:
7:00-7:30 PM COMEDY ENCORES
7:30-8:00 PM COMEDY ENCORES
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM KING OF THE HILL
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM AMERICAN DAD
If we're to believe Seth Macfarlane, they only have one episode of Family Guy ready to air. All the others don't have all the dialogue recorded and Macfarlane's refusing to enter the recording studio, so that throws a wrench into their plans already.
ReplyDeleteThis is...certainly dodgy. Do you think they're committed or is this a bit of gamesmanship to test the writers' resolve?
ReplyDeleteHere's the Variety story about Seth's comments, for what it's worth.
ReplyDeleteLambertman, this is Fox. They could change their minds tomorrow and it wouldn't shock me. I'm sure they have a contingency plan in case the strike ends quickly, but they could conceivably go forward with this.
The Friday schedule makes my brain hurt.
Hey, wasn't New Amsterdam already "canceled" before airing?
ReplyDeleteAlso interesting, considering that Josh Friedman, the writer/exec. producer for SCC says that only on the pilot is locked, and that he won't be doing any more work on the show.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear what insults House has for Mira Sorvino. I hope he's seen WiseGirls.
did david shore and co. plan that far ahead and shoot the post-super bowl episode of house out of order to ensure that it would be finished in case strike did happen
ReplyDeleteAlan,
ReplyDeleteI don't know how Variety manages its article links, but I think you meant to link to This story.
Anon
"The Friday schedule makes my brain hurt."
ReplyDeleteYou said it. Without reading the article a third time, there's at least six new shows off the top of my head that are airing at some point on Fridays.
As much as I can understand the position that Fox is in, especially with the strike potentially screwing things up even more, it seems to be shooting itself in its other foot with all of these changes. I simply don't understand why they insist on shuffling half of the schedule around, even with a limited number of scripted shows.
"Can't wait to hear what insults House has for Mira Sorvino. I hope he's seen WiseGirls."
ReplyDeleteWhat does that mean?
Keifer & Co are still here in DC filming right in my work 'hood, so it's good to see at least some work is continuing for crews. I don't mind the idea of waiting until they can show a season in its entirety, especially with a serial like 24. Interesting, and we're still just in week 1!
ReplyDeleteJust wondering, but will there be any chance of the major networks flexing their cable connections, i.e. Fox showing episodes of Damages, or CBS showing episodes of The Tudors?
ReplyDeleteThe problem with cable repurposing is that even with bleeping or serious editing, going to be very tough to get many of those shows in shape to air other than after 10 EST (in the FCC safe harbor zone).
ReplyDeleteAs someone who doesn't get Showtime, would love to see CBS give Dexter a shot, but don't think that's going to happen.
More likely would be NBC repurposing some cable stuff. Depending on contract terms and how much is in the can, wouldn't shock me to see Psych, Monk, Dead Zone, and Project Runway (maybe even trying Battlestar Galactica) on NBC in the next few months.
Also interesting is that Fox is giving Back To You an exceedingly long hiatus before bringing it back.
"The problem with cable repurposing is that even with bleeping or serious editing, going to be very tough to get many of those shows in shape to air other than after 10 EST (in the FCC safe harbor zone)."
ReplyDeleteThat's essentially the problem I see with NBC's alleged plan to air old episodes of "Curb." Unless the show pulled a "Sex and the City," where it filmed alternate scenes without bad language a lot of the time, the show is far too dirty to go on NBC.
This news is so depressing. Words can not express how much I hate American Idol, and it's only going to get more popular.
ReplyDeleteFox will probably change that schedule next week anyway. They tend to do that a lot.
With all this then, does 24 have a fighting, torturing, head-hacking chance of creating a decent, coherent plot, this season? If more DUIs and strikes give them time, well, bring 'em on.
ReplyDeleteOh, I realise that there is a hell of a lot of censorship needed to get a cable show on the networks, but some are pretty much okay without too much work (Unfortunately, all I can think of is good shows with crappy viewership, i.e. Damages and This American Life).
ReplyDeleteSigh, I guess that the only shows that would be easily transferrable would be, as said above, NBC shows from Bravo, Scifi, and USA.
But Brian, you are right, that most of the shows worth a damn would end up in safe harbor anyway (bless Loveline for eternally letting me remember what 'safe harbor' actually means), and with that, still require a ton of cutting up (the controversy over the 'fuck' scene from The Wire coming to mind).
Well, in fairness to FOX, the reason they probably decided to premiere so many shows with original material on Fridays throughout the spring is to make audiences realize that on FOX Fridays there'll be shows with original material throughout the spring.
ReplyDeleteMan, Tim Minear didn't produce a show during the only season of the last two decades where it wouldn't get canned after 3 episodes.
Man, Tim Minear didn't produce a show during the only season of the last two decades where it wouldn't get canned after 3 episodes.
ReplyDeleteThere is a God.
And then there's a "Miracle".
ReplyDelete(Ha. Ha. Hm. Why isn't anyone laughing?)
Okay, back to the strike now. Gotta say, so far I'm loving the media coverage. L.A. Times and Variety especially are high-larious.
As someone who doesn't get Showtime, would love to see CBS give Dexter a shot, but don't think that's going to happen.
ReplyDeleteI actually wouldn't be stunned by this. If you actually look at Dexter episode-by-episode, it's not significantly more graphic than the "CSI" shows. There would have to be some cuts for language and sex -- not to mention a good chunk of each episode's running time for commercials -- but CBS could air it if they wanted to.
Amen to cpennylane's comments.
ReplyDeleteI have woken up to my worst nightmare - no "24" but "Idol" is coming back.
You couldn't PAY me to sit through 5 minutes of 99% of Reality Television, and as much as I despise and loathe that entire genre, "Idol" is the WORST. Why this is the most popular show in America is beyond me?
Maybe what Mike Judge predicts in the film, "Idiocracy" is not taking 500 years - our culture (by watching dreck like "Idol") is already there.
I watch my fair share of (un)reality TV but I cringe at the prospect of so much American Idol our modern day Carnival of Freaks and Overlarge Egos. I am guessing I will up my Netflix intake and be watching even more Food Network than I do now.
ReplyDeleteMaybe what Mike Judge predicts in the film, "Idiocracy" is not taking 500 years - our culture (by watching dreck like "Idol") is already there.
ReplyDeleteI must be pretty dumb to watch it, then.
Why is Fox wasting our time with this now? Based on how they scheduled American Idol in past years, they'll run two-hour Idols on four or five Tuesdays and a few Wednesdays in February and March (the 3 weeks where they go from 24 to the final 12 and the first two weeks of the finals). I can't imagine they'll reduce so drastically the amount of Idol on the schedule when there's a strike. So why would they just ignore this and put out a schedule that will be wrong when they announce the Idol schedule in a few weeks? Oh, Fox.
ReplyDeleteRe: Dexter
ReplyDeleteThey could just cut out all of the non-dexter story lines and actually have a better show on CBS with commercials. Mazuka's best lines would be lost however.
Anyone watch the Soprannos on A&E? How bad is it?
Here's what the networks need to do in order to keep their ratings from plummeting: air all the brilliant shows that they canceled prematurely. Shows like Wonderfalls, Freaks & Geeks, Arrested Development, Firefly, etc. could easily be brought back. That way at least viewers get to watch previously unseen (and terrific) shows until the strike is resolved.
ReplyDeleteAt this point (in reading the comments) I can only say - it's a good things the networks have websites or we would never know what is *actually* airing 10 minutes from now. (and sometimes, even those aren't correct. and at least one of the networks - I think it's ABC - likes to hide theirs. good luck finding an episode title (I got a promo or a Grey's Anatomy Moment instead))
ReplyDeleteFox, to me, is mostly irrelevant. I watch House. Thankfully, it's on 15 times a week. (Tuesday night I tried to record True Hollywood Story and almost bumped House to a week from Friday. I had to force override to get it to record)
and
I'm recording Back to You. Has it gotten any better?
What about Moonlight? Should I save it for when there is no TV at all or ditch it to make room on the DVR for reruns of Roswell (which I never watched and might as well watch in order, even if Scifi won't air it that way)?
Here's what the networks need to do in order to keep their ratings from plummeting: air all the brilliant shows that they canceled prematurely.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant. Of course, they'll never go for it, but it would be awesome. Imagine a channel showing only Arrested Development and House? Heaven. (We'll ignore American Idol for now...)
Speaking of House, that is a ridiculous amount of it on Fox's strike schedule. Not that I'm complaining.
Looking forward to season 4 of Hells Kitchen.
ReplyDeleteIf you missed Seasons 1,2 or 3 I've posted all the episodes online.
http://www.whatwouldramsaydo.com
Hey Great Blog. As much as Family guy used to rock in the first few seasons, it is getting down every season with same stale comedy and jokes. IMO Souht Park and SImpsons are also going down the hill.
ReplyDeleteAnyway for those who can not download Family guy from torrents and are looking for all Seasons of Family guy, they can download it from here -
http://www.mwolk.com/tv-shows/family-guy-season-1
http://www.mwolk.com/tv-shows/family-guy-season-2
http://www.mwolk.com/tv-shows/family-guy-season-3
http://www.mwolk.com/tv-shows/family-guy-season-4
http://www.mwolk.com/tv-shows/family-guy-season-5
Hope this helps others.
Cheersers