Fall 2011 Fantasy Schedule - Fox

This is going to be the hardest to predict, but here goes.

Mondays

8:00 - House
9:00 - Terra Nova (NEW)

Terra Nova seems to be causing a lot of issues for Fox, whether they like to admit it or not. The first two episodes were supposed to preview in May, but apparently they're not finished yet. With that kind of commitment, due to the effects-heavy nature of the series, Fox has already ordered 13 episodes, all of which have already filmed. So it needs to be aired, the only question is whether or not it will be ready for fall now. It would seem likely to put it in one of the weaker time slots, following one of Fox's biggest hits. But speaking of House, there's a lot of issues going on now with renewal negotiations. Common sense says "bring it back," but Fox wants a break from the studio since the ratings have declined so much this season. So as of now, Fox's option has expired and negotiations will continue, possibly with other networks. So even House may not be on Fox this fall, which would be a huge blow (so I do think they'll eventually reach a deal).

Tuesdays

8:00 - Glee
9:00 - The New Girl (NEW)
9:30 - Raising Hope

I wonder if Fox will move Glee to Thursdays, to put The X Factor on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Obviously Glee has worked in this current timeslot, and its previous one on Wednesdays. There's no reason it couldn't work on another night as well. However, I don't know if I see them screwing with the entire schedule, and Fox needs Glee to launch a new show; since Raising Hope did so well out of it last season, I can see them trying another new sitcom. The New Girl seems likely, as it stars a well-known film actress (Zooey Deshcanel) and has tested well so far.

Wednesdays

8:00 - The X Factor (NEW)

The big question is how much of the schedule The X Factor will take up. Having lightly researched the UK version of the show, it would need two episodes a week just like American Idol. So I would not be surprised to see auditions/mentoring twice a week at the beginning, with a performance show on Wednesday and a results show on Thursday. It is certainly possible that Fox will show just as much faith in its scripted pilots and reduce The X Factor to just one two-hour slot per week. But with the way Fox is promoting it, I don't see that happening.

Thursdays

8:00 - The X Factor Results (NEW)
9:00 - Bones

Bones is in the exact same position as House right now, but again it is one of Fox's best performers, and I don't think they'll want to lose it. But at this point, it's a possibility.

Fridays

8:00 - Fringe
9:00 - Exit Strategy (NEW)

Fox has to try something new on Fridays, otherwise they're only debuting one new drama. Exit Strategy has a top-shelf cast, but they do not have a history of strong Friday night showings. I can see this happening, even if I don't like the idea of a strong new show being thrown to the wolves like this... but Fox may not have a choice. Fringe likely won't serve as much of a lead-in, so I can't figure out how they will work Fridays in the end; it is possible they will flip-flop a new drama and Bones, putting the veteran drama on Fridays with Fringe. We'll see what happens.
Sundays

7:30 - Bob's Burgers
8:00 - The Simpsons
8:30 - The Cleveland Show
9:00 - Family Guy
9:30 - American Dad

I think Fox will put Bob's Burgers in the spot currently occupied by American Dad, which is worthy of a better spot: it consistently outperforms both Bob's Burgers and The Cleveland Show when in the regular primetime lineup. When Fox's new animated programs (Napoleon Dynamite and Allen Gregory) arrive at midseason, I think this lineup will be changed up often, much like what they're doing now with trying to see how American Dad performs in different timeslots.

Midseason

Fox will likely order one or two more sitcoms and dramas. On the sitcom front, Breaking In has been performing relatively well, so I imagine it'd get a half-season order for midseason. I think Fox will order another new sitcom, possibly I Hate My Teenage Daughter. Then I think they will pick up the Keifer Sutherland-led drama Touch for midseason, and either another new drama or a half-season pickup for Lie to Me or Human Target. I'd go with Human Target. Then they have Mobbed to air on Fridays when Kitchen Nightmares returns, and the aforementioned animated shows.

Bottom Line Predictions

Canceled - The Chicago Code, The Good Guys, Lie to Me, Lone Star, Running Wilde, Traffic Light
New Comedy Series - I Hate My Teenage Daughter (midseason), The New Girl
New Drama Series - Exit Strategy, Terra Nova, Touch (midseason)

Comments

  1. I think FOX will pick up Iceland for midseason instead of I Hate My Teenage Daughter.

    Exit Strategy on Thursdays, Touch for midseason, and FOX will undoubtedly pick up the Bones spinoff.

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  2. But where would they put The Finder? There's no room on the schedule right now for The Finder AND Exit Strategy in the fall.

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  3. I guess they'll have to put one of the two in midseason.

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