Fox has been a tale of two seasons since American Idol had its first Fall (ok, winter) launch in January 2003. They've done considerably better than I expected with Lie To Me, So You Think You Can Dance (this iteration being the first not run during the summer), Bones and Fringe, but still can't really get live-action comedy right.
Fox surprised many when it brought back Fringe and much more so, Dollhouse. Good. Let shows grow to find an audience, especially when their are so many more ways to let a show breathe and find that audience. Glee is a perfect example -- it got buzz all summer long. They'll have the audience when it debuts -- if they don't drop the ball.
I think they've got their most solid Fall lineup in years. With the exception of an hour comedy block leading into Dollhouse, it all works together.
I'm not sold on any of their midseason entries just yet, but with Idol seemingly losing a big of its shine and 24 not guaranteed a comeback for 2011, something needs to hit.
They're ok, but it's time to wean themselves from Idol and develop/acquire more shows that produce solid numbers such as House and Bones.
