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© 2008 Fox
The cast of FRINGE
Television:
Television: FALL 2008 NEW SHOWS PREVIEW - FOX
From FRINGE, to DOLLHOUSE, to DO NOT DISTURB, to THE CLEVELAND SHOW this is your big preview
By PETER BROWN, Managing Editor
Published 9/5/2008
Fox had a great year in 2007 despite most of its shows getting cut short thanks to the 2007-2008 writer’s strike that lasted for four months. The network placed first in the coveted 18-49 year old bracket on the back of AMERICAN IDOL, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, THE MOMENT OF TRUTH and HOUSE.
Fox looks to build on its great year with new shows that will move it further into the genre world and continue to grow the network as a whole. Returning shows include: 24, AMERICAN DAD, AMERICAN IDOL, AMERICA’S MOST WANTED ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER?, BONES, COPS, DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS, HELL’S KITCHEN, HOUSE, KING OF THE HILL, KITCHEN NIGHTMARES, THE MOMENT OF TRUTH, PRISON BREAK, THE SIMPSONS, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES and ‘TILL DEATH.
The shows returning from the 2007 season are KITCHEN NIGHTMARES, THE MOMENT OF TRUTH, TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES, DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS and ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A FIFTH GRADER? New shows include: THE CLEVELAND SHOW, COURTROOM K, DO NOT DISTURB, DOLLHOUSE, FRINGE, LIE TO ME, OUTNUMBERED, SECRET MILLIONAIRE and SIT DOWN, SHUT UP.
© 2008 Fox
What: FRINGE
When: Debuts, Tuesday, Sept. 9
Stars: Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, John Noble, Lance Reddick, Kirk Acevedo, Mark Valley
The Skinny: We know that anything JJ Abrams touches on ABC turns to gold (LOST and ALIAS) but what about on Fox – the network notorious for under-promoting and cancelling shows before their time? Call it THE X-FILES meets ALIAS, FRINGE says it will blur the lines between science fiction and reality as FBI agents try and sort out a number of weird happenings going on in the world. Is there a larger truth here or just random occurrences?
What They Say: "We always wanted to do a [show] about real geniuses solving problems," says executive producer Roberto Orci who co-created the show with J.J. Abrams and Alex Kurtzman. "Alex was a huge fan of TWIN PEAKS and also ALTERED STATES and those kind of things and then obviously X-FILES was an inspiration as well."
Chances of Survival: Good. The buzz on this show is excellent and with a hot smoking female lead and some crazy stuff going on, we could very well see Fox’s new X-FILES.
© 2008 Fox
What: COURTROOM K
When: Mid-season
Stars: Alfred Molina, Noureen DeWulf, Megan Dodds, Diana Maria Riva
The Skinny: A comedic (?) look into the world of the American courtroom. Granted it won’t be ALLY MCBEAL but they are claiming this to be a dark comedy about a judge that is sarcastic and gruff but altogether lovable. This is a mid-season replacement.
Chances of Survival: Doomed. Shows like this on Fox never make it. They have tried and tried again and never seem to work. So, it’s hosed.
© 2008 Fox
What: THE CLEVELAND SHOW
When: Mid-season
Stars: Seth MacFarlane, Mike Henry
The Skinny: As if Seth MacFarlane didn’t have enough to do. Now he’s got a third animated series to deal with this time focusing on the FAMILY GUY’s African-American neighbor.
What They Say: "The similarities to FAMILY GUY will be like the character design, the animations, we will have cutaways and flashbacks like FAMILY GUY, but it’s all new characters, except for Cleveland Cleveland
Chances of Survival: Good. FAMILY GUY fanatics will watch and that’s enough probably to keep it going for a while.
© 2008 Fox
What: DO NOT DISTURB
When: Mid-season
Stars: Jerry O’Connell, Niecy Nash, Molly Stanton, Jesse Tyler Ferguson
The Skinny: I think they may be trying to redo THE JEFFERSONS or something here as this is about an upstairs/downstairs comedy in New York’s hottest and hippest hotels. This follows the workers of said hip hotel and the crazy antics that go on there.
What They Say: "We're trying to have some fun with a younger cast, fresher faces and it's a little irrerverent," says executive producer Abraham Higginbotham. "We have a large world and we wanted to do a workplace comedy that wasn't just being in a room with 30 people and only five of them are talking."
Chances of Survival: Doomed. Fox’s comedies are short lived if they aren’t animated. Look at the schedule now, only ‘TILL DEATH is the only sitcom that has real people.
© 2008 Fox
What: SECRET MILLIONAIRE
When: Debuts, Wednesday, Dec. 3
Stars: Various
The Skinny: Each week a millionaire is plopped into a disadvantaged area undercover in order to find out if there is anyone deserving of getting a wadfull of cash. Call it OPRAH’S BIG GIVE Fox style.
Chances of Survival: Decent. But probably will be a one-hit wonder. They won’t bring it back for a second season.
© 2008 Fox
What: DOLLHOUSE
When: Mid-season
Stars: Eliza Dushku, Olivia Williams, Tahmoh Penikett, Fran Kranz, Dichen Lachman, Enver Giokai
The Skinny: Joss Whedon’s latest TV show about an illegal group that has had their personalities wiped clean so they can be imprinted with any number of new personas. They then carry out a number of engagements for wealthy and powerful people – from romance, to criminal, to dangerous, to comical to good deeds.
Chances of Survival: I hate to say it. But it is doomed. Sorry Whedon lovers but his track record on Fox with FIREFLY is terrible and the fact they have already had him rewrite it once. Plus, while I love this premise and I think it will be a great show and I will watch every episode, I think for the average viewer it will be too quirky.
© 2008 Fox
What: HOLE IN THE WALL
When: Debuts, Thursday, Sept. 11
Stars: Brooke Burns
The Skinny: A new game show with Brooke Burns (DOG EAT DOG) as the hostess. It is adapted from the Japanese game show of the same name about people competing in a variety of tricky and wacky contests where they fit their body through a wall.
Chances of Survival: Good. Fox has proven it can be a powerhouse in this reality/game show craze with THE MOMENT OF TRUTH and ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A FIFTH GRADER?
© 2008 Fox
What: OUTNUMBERED
When: Mid-Season
Stars: Ken Marino, Brooke Bloome, Aidan Potter, Alina Foley
The Skinny: Fox calls it a mix of improv such as CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM mixed with loving but forceful family values in the vein of MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE. The adult actors get scripted dialogue but the kids can say whatever they want.
Chances of Survival: Decent. Sounds really interesting actually and if promoted correctly could be a winner for Fox.
© 2008 Fox
What: SIT DOWN, SHUT UP
When: Mid-season
Stars: Will Arnett, Maria Bamford, Jason Bateman, Will Forte, Tom Kenny.
The Skinny: A whole slew of comedians in an animated comedy about staff members at a Northeastern fishing town that believe kids must always come second.
Chances of Survival: Decent. First, Fox has a proven track record with the animated sitcoms. Second, Will Arnett, Jason Batemen and Will Forte all in the same cast? Nice!
Check out our 2008 NEW FALL SHOWS PREVIEW FOR THE CW HERE
Check out our 2008 NEW FALL SHOWS PREVIEW FOR CBS HERE
Check out our 2008 NEW FALL SHOWS PREVIEW FOR ABC HERE
Check out our 2008 NEW FALL SHOWS PREVIEW FOR NBC HERE
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