FOX 2005-2006 show lineup

Fox network has announced its Fall schedule (sorry for posting it here so late – you must have noticed an updated site and faster performance). The day-to-day lineup is pretty much the same, and the network’s tricks are also unchanged: 24, American Idol and Trading Spouses are coming back in the new year (midseason). Which makes perfect sense – holding on to these huge spectacles paid off in later half of this season. One noticeable hop is for Arrested Development – to Monday nights. Don’t know what it will accomplish, as long as I get my dose of Bluth family week after week.

Everything else stays where it performed best – toons on Sunday night, House – on Tuesdays, The O.C. – Thursdays and That 70s Show + Stacked – seem to be planted on Wednesdays – for now. I personally hated when these two shows started hopping from night to night, and gave up on both, but now at least I can TIVO them.

The newcomers next season are not many – I guess the network is relying on proven performers to bring in the ratings. Here’s the rundown of new shows on FOX next season:

“Bones” (Tuesdays) – from the writers of Joan of Arcadia and Judging Amy, starring Emily Deschanel (Spider-Man 2, Boogeyman), David Boreanaz (Angel), Michaela Conlin (The D.A.), Jonathan Adams (American Dreams) and T.J. Thyne (Ghost World, How High). It’s about an anthropologist who teams up with FBI to solve murders. I say it’s a clone, but the cast is impressive, and can give “Numbers” and “The Inside” a run for their money.

“Prison Break” (Mondays) – starring Dominic Purcell (Blade: Trinity), Sarah Wayne Callies (Tarzan), Robin Tunney (Vertical Limit, The In-Laws), Wentworth Miller (The Human Stain) and Amaury Nolasco (2 Fast 2 Furious). It’s been advertised since late May – can bomb, or pick up, depending on how many people will tune in to watch the first few episodes. A gritty prison drama about an innocent man sentenced to die.

“Reunion” (Thursdays) – starring Amanda Righetti (Hailey Nichol on The O.C.), Alexa Davalos (Lightning Lass Gwen Raiden on Angel), Chyler Leigh (Claire Wyatt on The Practice), Sean Faris (Dino Whitman on Life As We Know It), and Will Estes (J.J. Pryor on American Dreams). It’s about a group of friends who reunite for their 20th school reunion. Sounds ridiculous, unless they can give each one an extended back-story, and milk the show for these stories, like Lost does.

“Head Cases” (Wednesdays) – starring Chris O’Donnell (Kinsey), Rachael Leigh Cook (Josie and the Pussycats), Krista Allen (Baywatch, Unscripted, Feast), Adam Goldberg (The Hebrew Hammer, How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days), Aimee Garcia (A Lot Like Love) and Rocmond Dunbar (Earth 2). It’s about an attorney who has a nervous breakdown and starts his own firm. A used concept, but the cast is very good – I’d watch Adam Goldberg brush his chest hair, he’s that engaging.

“The Gate” (Fridays) – starring Johnny Messner (The O.C.), Marguerite Moreau (The O.C.) and Chi McBride (Boston Public). Created by John Berman of CSI, this can be another spin on the “unsolved murders revisited by odd specialists” theme, and given Chi McBride – can soar in ratings. I still can’t believe they kicked him outta “House” – what a standoff it was with Hugh Laurie.

Sitcoms – “Kitchen Confidential” (Mondays) – starring Bradley Cooper (Alias), Jaime King (Sin City), Nicholas Brendon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), John Francis Daley (Freaks and Geeks), John Cho (Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle), Frank Langella (Unscripted), Bonnie Sommerville (NYPD Blue), Sam Pancake (Legally Blonde 2) and Owain Yeoman (Troy). Will Tippin is back as a chef with an attitude, and he’s surrounded by real characters. Let’s hope Frank Langella and John Cho get the best lines – they’re going to steal scenes anyway.

“The War At Home” (Sundays) – starring Michael Rapaport (Boston Public, Hitch), Anita Barone (The Jeff Foxworthy Show, Daddio), Kaylee Defer (The Mountain), Dean Collins (Jack & Bobby) and Kyle Sullivan (All That). It’s a family sitcom from the writer of Will & Grace and Suddenly Susan. I’m sure it will be cute.

Midseason additions are almost non-existent (who needs new shows if half the continent is going to flock to FOX to watch the next Idol and Jack Bauer? We got “Freebirds” – about a college grad who’s moving back to live with his parents. This would make a perfect summer show, but I guess they just needed to dump this show somewhere. I don’t see it last. And another show about a college grad (is there an echo in here) “The Loop” – this one stars Bret Harrison (Grounded For Life), Becki Newton (P.S.), Eric Christian Olsen (Cellular), Mimi Rogers (The Geena Davis Show) and Philip Baker Hall (The Amityville Horror). Could be good, but if the talent is wasted on a recycled premise, and a similar show runs on the same network – all I can say is “what the hell were they thinking?”.