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Fall 2007 Fox TV Network Programming Schedule

 Descriptions and Analysis

New Series in blue.

Click on underlined titles for information.

Here's the link to Fox's own 2007 Schedule website.

Fall 2007 Schedule

Somewhere:  Trading Spouses

New Series

Returning Shows

American Dad:  Now that Seth MacFarlane's long-cancelled The Family Guy rose from the grave via DVD and cable (and will be back on Fox in the near future), Fox is hoping to do it right the first time around with his new animated entry American Dad.  He's a CIA agent engaged in the war on terrorism, has a wife and a pair of teenage kids, along with an Area 51 space alien and a talking goldfish who live with their family.  Right at home on Fox's Sunday night comedy line-up, certainly all the Family Guy buzz won't hurt the profile of this new entry.    

Bones:  Emily Deschanel (Boogeyman) is a beautiful forensic anthropologist/novelist (a character based on a real woman scientist/writer) and David Boreanaz (Buffy, Angel) is the ex-Army sniper Special Agent who bugs her, in this mystery/crime/romantic adventure series.  This "Love Among the Maggots" premise has a Moonlighting-esque vibe, at least in the promos, which unfortunately aren't nearly as cute as somebody hopes.  Surrounding our two lovers-in-the-making are a troupe of brilliant but eccentric scientists, including Eric Millegan (theater's Harold and Maude musical) as the resident geek, TJ Thyne (How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Ghost World) as the conspiracy-nut entymologist, Michaela Conlin (The D.A., MDs) as the female computer-graphics whiz, and Jonathan Adams (American Dreams) as our heroine's crusty but benign boss.  I don't think I'd be as wary of this if I hadn't seen the promos, but as grim and uninspiring as deadly serious crime drama dialog can be, it may be that cutesy quasi-romantic banter is even more distasteful.  Will being the lead-in to newly-anointed hit House help liven up Bones chances?  And if not, can it hold on until it gets an American Idol lead-in in January?  Premieres 9/13.  Update 9/15:  First airing overnights were favorable for Bones, which no doubt benefited from a stellar performance from House in its 2nd season opener.  Update 10/12:  Bones has received a full-season pick-up order.

House:  One of the best things to anticipate with this show is star Hugh Laurie, well-known and beloved by fans of British comedy from his roles in Jeeves and Blackadder.  He might be more recognizable to Yanks and their kids for his work in Stuart Little, but don't hold that against him -- he's brilliant no matter what he's doing..  House, a medical mystery/drama from one of the creators of Homicide, promises to make villains out of dastardly microbes and virulent viruses as a team of highly-trained physicians attempts to solve deadly outbreaks before countless lives are lost.  If you've ever thrilled to the genuinely fascinating true-life tales on Discovery Health's Diagnosis: Unknown, you'll want to catch this fictionalized version of the same kind of stories.  Promising an unconventional lead character -- and with Hugh Laurie playing him, it could be wonderful -- and a straight-ahead dynamic style which will hopefully set it apart from all the other medical/science investigation shows out there, House will get a great lead-in from American Idol (assuming the magic is still there in January).  For the presence of Laurie alone this one is worth watching, and advertiser interest in the show is reportedly high.  Could be the class act of the year.  Premiere Date: 11/16/04.  Update 6/05:  This surprise hit -- partly due to a late-season American Idol lead-in, partly due to a growing wellspring of popular acclaim for very deserving star Hugh Laurie -- will be back for a second season.

Prison Break:  Fox may have a success on its hands already; this series, which premiered in late summer, is getting good press and decent ratings even before the season officially begins.  Prison Break gives the old behind-bars concept another go, as a man gets himself sentenced to prison to save the life of his brother who's scheduled for the electric chair for a murder he didn't commit.  Saving his life actually means breaking him out of prison, an elaborate plan that moves the series forward.  It's an interesting premise that seems to be working thus far.  Wentworth Miller (The Human Stain, Dinotopia) is Michael, the brother with the plan, Dominic Purcell (the John Doe series, North Shore) the one who's clock is ticking, Robin Tunney (The In-Laws, The Secret Lives of Dentists) is Michael's lawyer and his brother's ex, Sarah Jane Callies (she was Jane in the ill-fated Tarzan from a few seasons back) is the prison doctor, the intriguing Peter Stormare (The Big Lebowski, Dancer in the Dark, Constantine) is a jailed mob boss, Amaury Nolasco (Mr. 3000, 2 Fast 2 Furious) is Michael's cellmate, Wade Williams (Ali, Erin Brockovich, much TV) is a helpful guard, and veteran actor Stacy Keach (Mike Hammer, American History X, Titus) is the imposing warden.  This isn't going to be an Oz -- and that's okay -- and though it has plenty of competition with football and CBS' strong comedy line-up, Prison Break is looking good so far for Fox.  Interesting fact:  Both the guys playing brothers here are actually English-born.  Premiered 8/29.  Update 10/12:  Prison Break has received a full-season order.  Update 12/1:  Prison Break will return with new episodes in March.

TALKSHOW with Spike Ferensten:  Comedy writer Spike Ferensten (Seinfeld, Late Night with David Letterman,Saturday Night Live) hosts this new take on the late night talk show, with an emphasis on comedy, including staff-staffed skits and minus a monologue.  A timeslot following MAD TV should supply the requisite audience; it's up to Spike from there to capture them and keep 'em laughing.  

'Til Death:  Comedy veterans Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond, Gleason, and a slew of animated voices) and Joely Fisher (Desperate Housewives, Wild Card, Ellen, Grosse Point) are a typical middle-aged married couple -- not getting enough sex, squabbling endlessly -- with next-door neighbors, a pair of idealistic, romantic newlyweds played by Eddie Kaye Thomas (Off Centre, American Dad) and Kat Foster (Law & Order).  It's age vs. youth, cynicism vs. enthusiasm, and everything in between as these two couples learn from each other and find out that what they have really isn't so different after all.  Early critical carping tags 'Til Death as some kind of antiquated throwback domestic comedy, but as we all know, cutting-edge often doesn't cut it in the ratings.  We'll see if the giant Garrett has his own fans who will follow him from Raymond to 'Til Death, but that may not even make a difference, what with the formidable comedy competition on NBC from My Name is Earl and The Office, as well as other strong offerings in the time period.  Without a lead-in, 'Til Death may not be here a very long time.