Fox's Fall 2003 line up

[Guest Youth N Asia]

CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) - FOX is expected to move "Boston Public" and "Wanda at Large" to Friday nights when the network presents its fall 2003 schedule tomorrow morning. The moves are part of an aggressive schedule that will likely see changes to almost every night on its lineup.

 

Here's a rundown of the latest developments:

 

-- Mondays are set to see "Joe Millionaire 2" slide to 8:00/7:00c as a lead-in to Jerry Bruckheimer's latest drama "Skin," which involves the adult film industry.

 

-- Wednesdays have "That '70s Show" remaining at 8:00/7:00c followed by newcomer "A Minute With Stan Hooper," starring Norm Macdonald as a TV commentator who moves to a small town. "The Bernie Mac Show" will also stay put at 9:00/8:00c followed by the return of "Cedric the Entertainer Presents."

 

-- Thursdays see two new dramas left to the wolves with the Peter Gallagher-ensemble "The O.C." at 8:00/7:00c and the Eliza Dushku-led "True Calling" at 9:00/8:00c.

 

-- Fridays have FOX ditching both "Fastlane" and "John Doe" in favor of the newly relocated "Wanda at Large" at 8:00/7:00c and "Boston Public" at 9:00/8:00c. Sandwiched between the two is Luis Guzman's self-titled comedy.

 

-- Sundays are looking to have "King of the Hill," "The Simpsons" and "Malcolm in the Middle" stay in the current slots. Newcomers are set to fill the remaining half-hours with "Bonzai," "The Ortegas" and "Arrested Development" at the 7:00/6:00c, 8:30/7:30c and 9:30/8:30c marks respectively.

 

-- Tuesdays and Saturdays are expected to remain intact with "24," "Cops" and "America's Most Wanted" all staying put. Summer series "American Juniors" is looking to hold up the Tuesday, 8:00/7:00c slot until its parent series, "American Idol," returns in January.

 

-- As for early pickup "Wonder Falls," it's unclear when or where the series will land on the schedule. FOX had planned an August bow for the series but now it appears headed for midseason. Also at midseason look for family drama "Still Life" to pop up on the schedule as well as a second season of "Oliver Beene."

 

FOX presents its official schedule tomorrow.

[Guest bob_barron]

THANK YOU GOD THANK YOU GOD THANK YOU GOD THANK YOU GOD.

 

THANK

YOU

GOD

[Guest NaturalBornThriller4:20]

SHIT...

 

Now we'll never know what happens to Tiffany Thissen.

 

Bastards!

[Guest Vern Gagne]

American Juniors looks like a riot. A bunch of pain in the ass parents, trying to live through there kids.

[Guest Karnage]

"A Minute With Stan Hooper," starring Norm Macdonald as a TV commentator who moves to a small town.

I Look forward to this...

[Guest MarvinisaLunatic]

Well, even though 24 will get the American Idol bump again in January, but its going to get killed lead in wise by the filler show until then. They really should move it away from Tuesday night. I don't know of a good night to move it to, but it would do much better on another night.

 

Nothing else interesting at all, although Im interested in how long Skin lasts given its subject material even though J.B. is doing it.

[Guest bob_barron]

"A Minute With Stan Hooper," starring Norm Macdonald as a TV commentator who moves to a small town.

I Look forward to this...

Henceforth my Thank You God.

 

FOX RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Guest areacode212]

Well, even though 24 will get the American Idol bump again in January, but its going to get killed lead in wise by the filler show until then.  They really should move it away from Tuesday night.  I don't know of a good night to move it to, but it would do much better on another night.

Tuesday is fine for 24, and now that Smallville is moving to Wednesdays, I can see that show's viewers switching over to Fox at 9pm instead. 24 fits into a nice little niche; it's only real competition is The Guardian (I don't even know what that show is about, nor do I know anyone who watches it....is it one of those CBS old geezer shows?) and Frasier. Demo-wise, the show seems to do OK where it is.

 

Look at the other nights:

 

Friday & Saturday are dead.

Sunday @ 9pm: against Alias & Law & Order: Criminal Intent, which kinda share demos with 24.

Monday @ 9pm: hmm, a possibility, though since it's up against Raw, wrestling fans would probably....watch 24 anyway . How do other shows in this timeslot do against MNF?

Wednesday @ 9pm: would put it up against The West Wing & The Bachelor

Thursday @ 9pm: would go up against CSI.

 

8pm on any night probably won't be an option (isn't there some FCC limit on the amount of violence that can be shown before 9? And part of the thrill of 24 is seeing that "viewer discretion is advised" disclaimer on some eps), and the Fox primetime schedule ends at 10, so a 10-11pm slot is out.

[Guest El Satanico]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Fastlane show up on the new new TNN since they are now trying harder to enforce their new image.

 

But i guess it depends on Viacom being willing to spend the big money it costs per episode for that show and then putting it on SPIKE tv.

[Guest MrRant]

It will probably be on MTV if anything since I believe MTV reruns Fastlane.... of coures I despise shows like that.

[Guest fazzle]

Blah. The season finale got me interested in John Doe again, and it gets canned. Bastards.

 

I can't really see any other station picking it up either. Maybe UPN, if they get desperate.

[Guest El Satanico]

MTV and Spike(TNN) are both Viacom channels and Spike(TNN) would benefit more than MTV.

 

MTV doesn't need the show. Spike is trying to make a name for themselves and they can't do that with nothng except syndicated shows. They need all the original programming they can get and Fastlane fits perfectly with the audience SPIKE is looking for.

 

However, if either got it the other one may end up showing reruns.

[Guest Youth N Asia]

I was hoping someone would pick up Haunted, but that didn't happen. I'm not shocked Fastlane got the axe, that just looked too expensive to make.

[Guest Mole]

Dahhh, Oliver Beene will be a midseason replacement? I love that show, it should be a Sunday show from the beginning.

[Guest RevEvil]

Why the fuck is cops still on the air?

[Guest areacode212]

Because it's cheap to produce and generates good ratings on what is the wasteland of Saturday nights.

[Guest Phoenix Fury Legdrop]

Very mixed feelings about Fox....love them for bringing the more-than-human known as NORM back on TV, but I want to poke their brains out with Q-Tips covered in sawdust for getting rid of "Andy Richter Controls The Universe".

[Mecha Mummy 0]

New show starring Norm? I'm there.

[Guest Mole]

His last one wasn't that good.

[Guest bob_barron]

Are you kidding me?

 

If you only caught the Jenny-Norm plotline and the Taylor-Danny breakup episode then I could understand you being low on Norm but the first season is absolutely fantastic.

 

Denby's Kid and Drive Norm Said are two of my favourite television episodes.

 

The show took a dip in season 2 when they did the idioitic Norm loves Jenny storyline which caused Norm to have to act and was completely out of character for him. The storyline was also dropped in season 3- rendering it completely worthless.

 

Luckily in season 3 they made Norm a dick again and had Tom Smothers guest star a couple times as well. Artie was fleshed out more and his increased role helped the series immensly. The show also was able to resolve everything before getting cancelled.

 

Norm got out of his community service, Shelly ended up having feelings for him- and the show went out with a hilarious finale.

[Guest Mole]

Are you kidding me?

 

If you only caught the Jenny-Norm plotline and the Taylor-Danny breakup episode then I could understand you being low on Norm but the first season is absolutely fantastic.

 

Denby's Kid and Drive Norm Said are two of my favourite television episodes.

 

The show took a dip in season 2 when they did the idioitic Norm loves Jenny storyline which caused Norm to have to act and was completely out of character for him. The storyline was also dropped in season 3- rendering it completely worthless.

 

Luckily in season 3 they made Norm a dick again and had Tom Smothers guest star a couple times as well. Artie was fleshed out more and his increased role helped the series immensly. The show also was able to resolve everything before getting cancelled.

 

Norm got out of his community service, Shelly ended up having feelings for him- and the show went out with a hilarious finale.

I didn't watch it that often, but from what I did saw, I really didn't like it that much.

 

And I like how American's Most Wanted is still on the air, it helps to catch all of the criminals. Haven't they caught 750 people since it has been on the air?

[Guest hardyz1]

I'm pissed. First Fox axes Family guy, now they cancel John Doe.

 

FUCK YOU FOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Please God let another network pick up John Doe. I don't care if it's FX or the freakin' Sci Fi channel.

 

AAARRRGGHHH!!

[Guest Choken One]

Nice...I have nothing really to say about this...

 

I'm pissed B.P is moved to friday since it was one of those occasional Guilty pleasure shows...

[Guest Galactic Gigolo]

FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!

 

The fact that Fastlane and John Doe both got canned, while they're putting out two more Thursday dramas that are bound to fail miserably no matter if they're really good, as very few people will be willing to turn off NBC, CBS, etc. to tune in.

 

I like the idea for the show about the adult film industry. As a fan of Boston Public, I'm pissed about it being moved to the Friday night slot, and if this ends up killing show I'll be mighty pissed.

 

No one, minus UPN possibly (can't wait to see how bad the full schedule looks, considering everything on that God forsaken network is doing above average or leaving) will be able to finance a pickup of Fastlane. MTV puts very little money into anything.

 

ABC is also bringing back TGIF, though with two new shows and George Lopez and Life with Bonnie. It doesn't look like Less Than Perfect (featuring Eric Roberts, the only reason to watch) is canceled, so at least I got part of my wish.

 

Fox = Stupid fuckers. They at least should've kept John Doe on Thursdays, as the geeks who follow the show religiously are not big on Friends, CSI, etc.

 

We better get a DVD of both eventually.

[Guest areacode212]

Here are pictures from some of the new Fox shows (well, the two that I care about anyway):

 

Skin

(L-R) D.J. Cotrona, Rachel Ticotin, Kevin Anderson, Ron Silver, Pamela Gidley and Olivia Wilde

 

Olivia Wilde and D.J. Cotrona

 

Tru (no 'e') Calling

 

 

(L-R) Jessica Collins, Heath Freeman, Eliza Dushku, Shawn Reaves, A.J. Cook, Zach Galifianakis

 

[Guest TonyJaymzV1]

fuckers

 

i made it a point to try and catch fastlane on fridays....couldn't they have atleast wrapped it up before canceling it with a cliffhanger? Same goews with John Doe.

 

if Spike TV picks up Fastlane, i will love them

[MooreMark 0]

Atleast Boston Public stays! WOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[Guest Galactic Gigolo]

Atleast Boston Public stays! WOOOOOOOOOOOO!

For one more season, sadly.

 

Friday night is a deathslot on Fox. Check out everything that has aired their previously.

[Guest The Tino Standard]

You can kiss Boston Public goodbye. Only one show I can think of has been able to suvive the Friday night Death Sentence and that was Ed.

 

I've watched Boston Public all three years and I can't say I'm going to miss it all that much. Really strong in the first year, but it's gotten progressively worse. This year it had that car-wreck appeal: Awful to look at, but you just can't turn away.

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

Eliza Dushku and Zach Galafinakis on the same show = best show ever.

 

 

oh, and shouldn't a show about porn have some hot chicks in it?