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Fox does not program the 10pm hour.
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| → Fox has got a lot of new for 2002, rhyme intentional. Three comedies and four dramas to supplement the two returning ("Bernie Mac," "24") shows. Fox lost ground everywhere but those two slots, so it's time for some retooling. One issue with Fox is that they don't program the 10p hour (due to the overwhelming majority of its affils having newscasts - this makes it harder to launch some types of series. They are thanking their diamonds that Major League Baseball did not stike since their entire Thursday lineup is essentially on the bench until November, so much so that I couldn't find definitive information on it Fox Sunday is a roller coaster. NFL Football will inevitably cause overrun to push back start times across the board. When the line up starts, you'll see "Futurama" was brought back, but not really. This seasons's episodes are ones that have been in the can, but never aired. There hasn't been an order for more. "Oliver Beene" is next and I just don't think so here. I have a debut date listed as Nov 3, but I'm not entirely sure. Fox doesn't seem so either. Now a teenager (14th season), "The Simpsons" is as much of an institution on Sunday as "Friends" is on Thursday. "King of the Hill" leads in to now-anchor "Malcolm in the Middle" which gives way to "The Grubbs." I have no hope for "The Grubbs" and limited hope for "Oliver..." The rest of the lineup should perform in line with last year. Fox Monday brings back "Boston Public" will some cast changes. "Fear Factor" seemed to take away a little of the audience, but it's now an anchor of the entire net. Taking "Ally McBeal"'s place at the Monday night table is "girls club." (Yes, lowercase "g.") A new law drama from David E. Kelley set in San Fran. It better make sure it's on an uphill cable car. There's some competition in that slot, including perennial Top 10er "Everybody Loves Raymond." Fox Tuesday brings back the '70s in the most competitive slot of the week with "That '70s Show." They've moved "Grounded For Life" to make a comedy block to compete with that of NBC and ABC. "24" returns without Teri Bauer and begins an all-new day around Hallowe'en. Fox Wednesday faces "Bernie Mac" and the new "Cedric The Entertainer Presents..." against comedies on ABC ("My Wife and Kids," "George Lopez") in a wide open field. "Fastlane" screens at 9pm and might move some younger viewers away from "The West Wing," but probably not enough to matter to NBC. Fox Thursday is anyone guess. It'll be revealed, ad infinitum, during the MLB Postseason. Fox Friday is all-new with Joss Whedon's "Firefly" and the seemingly been-there "John Doe." It's wide open. Fox Saturday is all Fox could hope for: "Cops" (a double-run) and "America's Most Wanted" both chugging along now for a decade and a half. Ratings wise, Saturday night, no one cares. Fox will get a lot of push from the MLB Postseason, but they also get a lot of fractured viewing; they'll be about a month behind everyone by the time they get it all rolling. If they could grab one hit from their dramas, they could begin to rebuild another night. |
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