FOX to start Fall season early.... really early (A MUST READ!!!!)

[Sitcomwriter]

From the futon critic.com:

Friday, March 26, 2004 - 8:21 AM
FOX: Don't Expect Fall Schedule on May 20
By Brian Ford Sullivan


CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- "There is no such thing as a fall schedule from FOX any longer," the network's entertainment president, Gail Berman, said this week. "The new season will start in June. It will all be laid out in a plan for them at upfront [on May 20]."

The news was delivered during FOX's pre-upfront meeting with the advertising community on Wednesday in which Berman indicated that instead of a traditional September start, FOX will begin the 2004-05 season in June followed by a second wave of launches in November when its coverage of the World Series concludes. The moves are part of what FOX says is a transition to a year-round schedule.

The announcement comes as little surprise as FOX had been moving in said direction for the past seven months with such moves as launching scripted dramas like "The O.C." during the summer and ordering several pilots well in advance of the traditional spring development season.

As for schedule specifics, here's a breakdown of the developments mentioned:

-- "Cracking Up," which has emerged as the weak link in the network's new Monday schedule, will be pulled after its April 5 broadcast with the remaining episodes turning up this summer.

-- Only one series has been given a firm summer start date: the Mark Burnett-produced reality series "The Casino" will air Tuesdays at 8:00/7:00c beginning June 8.

-- Drama pilots "Ricochet," "Hollywood Division" and "One Big Happy" (now titled "The Deerings") and comedy pilots "Lucky Us," "The Quints" and "Related by Family" were all mentioned by name as being likely targets for a summer start. The network plans to launch at least two new comedies and two new dramas this summer.

-- The network also confirmed its series orders for dramas "The Jury" (six episodes) and "The North Shore" (13 episodes) as well as the comedy "Method & Red," however it's still unclear if any or all of them will start this summer.

-- Almost 30 hours of programming left over from the 2003-04 season will be available to fill the network's summer slate, including shelved series "Still Life" (seven episodes) and "The Ortegas" (six episodes) as well as unaired episodes of "Boston Public" (two episodes), "Cedric the Entertainer Presents" (six episodes), "Oliver Beene" (10 episodes), "Wonderfalls" and the aforementioned "Cracking Up."

-- "Forever Eden," which has a 25-episode order, will undoubtedly spill over into the summer months.

-- And finally to review, "King of the Hill," "The Simpsons" and "That '70s Show" are the only series to have been given official pick-ups for the 2004-05 season, although "American Idol," "The Bernie Mac Show," "24" and "The O.C." are considered shoe-ins to return.

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Anyway, I really think The OC will be back and AI and 24 are shoe-ins, aren't they? I think "Cracking Up" might return, it's a pretty good show. I'm hoping Lucky Us gets picked up. It looks pretty good.

[vashti1999]

It all sounds interesting. It's not surprising though, in recent years the networks seem to put more first run programming on in the summer. Nice that 24 and Bernie Mac are coming back, and I'm looking forward to Method & Red.

[CLASSICTV2003]

When is The New Mr. Ed Series coming to FOX?? -CLASSICTV2003

[dawsongirl]

Fox has always been a little off.

[Mr. Television]

All the shows I watch on Fox won't start till November anyway. I'm not interested in the rest.

[barwars]

Originally posted by Sitcomwriter
-- And finally to review, "King of the Hill," "The Simpsons" and "That '70s Show" are the only series to have been given official pick-ups for the 2004-05 season, although "American Idol," "The Bernie Mac Show," "24" and "The O.C." are considered shoe-ins to return.

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Anyway, I really think The OC will be back and AI and 24 are shoe-ins, aren't they? I think "Cracking Up" might return, it's a pretty good show. I'm hoping Lucky Us gets picked up. It looks pretty good.

I bet [i]The OC, AI, 24, and Bernie Mac[i] will all return.
I DONT think Cracking Up will return....
but I have a good feeling that Arrested Development might come back.

idk.... all I care about is Arrested Development.... everything else is blah IMO.

[TJL]

Great! So I can look forward to "My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance 2" this summer instead of waiting until September.

Oh boy!


Sorry, I'm a bit cranky. Haven't had my coffee yet.

[Ant-Lox]

I love FOX, they make their own rules.

[tvfan0101]

*sigh*

It used to be great when there was a clear fall season and a clear summer repeat season.

I miss those days.

[TJL]

Actually, I always admired FOX for at least attempting to put on some original programs during the Summer months. The other networks laughed whenthey started airing "Beverly Hils 90210" episodes during the summer, and they were a big ratings hit.

I don't understand the network mentality. People don't walk away from thier TV's during the summer. Not everyone is "on vacation."

[Brent88]

There was an article recently that NBC was going to start it's fall schedules at the end of August after the Olympics(August 13-29). Starting schedules in June though is IMO, stupid.

[Mr. Television]

The majority of these series will be shows that won't be on in the fall anyway, mainly cancelled series, shows that have unaired episodes left and reality shows.

[sincity_girl68]

I think fox is leading the way with their summer scheduling. A lot of oeople criticise them ,but look at their track record. At least I won't have to suffer by channel surfing all night long in an attempt to get past all the re-runs. Right now The Jury looks to be pretty hot and a little Simple Life 2 for laughs,but it's The Jury which begins on June 8th that has me really excited I think this show will break new ground in the drama catagory

[Lee]

What is Hollywood Division going to be about?

[edog20716]

What's the deal with The Quints and who the #@& is Andy Richter