What’s up with the fall schedule, FOX? – Quibbling Siblings

Debbie:

FOX’s new fall schedule: In a word, interesting. The cancellations, the surprise Fringe save and the new shows slated for the fall. First of all, I was really surprised that Human Target, Lie to Me and Chicago Code were all axed. I really thought they’d keep one of them, and my guess would have been Chicago Code.

Bob:

You know, I didn’t watch a single one of those shows, but there was certainly a lot of acclaim surrounding Chicago Code. I know it had a lot of fans on CliqueClack too. I know you loved Human Target, but it was sentenced to Friday nights, that’s never a good sign.

Debbie:

It was surprising that Human Target even got a second season, so I really wasn’t surprised, but I do believe all three of those shows had better ratings than Fringe.

Bob:

I think the ratings were close enough that somebody at FOX got to pick their favorite. It’s hard to figure out what the programmers are thinking sometimes. I’m happy for Fringe fans, though, and for science fiction in general, which almost always get the short end of the stick when it comes to renewals and pick ups.

Debbie:

Yes, I’m not upset at that save, but what does irk me is what they are replacing Chicago Code and Human Target with. … Have you watched any of the trailers? Terra Nova doesn’t look good to me at all, at least not up to my expectations … I was so disappointed by tha trailer. Reminds me of Lost, with the little Dharma-like colony but with Jurrassic Park instead of the smoke monster.

Bob:

I don’t know. I see a lot more of Earth 2 than I do Lost. Do you remember that show? It wasn’t a great trailer, though, I agree. Having watched it, I don’t think I have any idea of what the show actually is or what any of the character interaction is going to be like. We pretty much know dinosaurs are going to eat people. Um … ok.

Debbie:

Right. Disappointing. I don’t remember Earth 2. Now, am I missing something as a female, because I find nothing charming about Zooey Deschanel and I spent the whole trailer of New Girl cringing … and I admit, thoughts of violence crossed my mind. Like, I wanted to punch her in the nose to make her stop.

Bob:

I find everything about Zooey Deschanel charming … and I also cringed through most of that trailer. Add in the fact that the show is losing a huge talent because Damon Wayans Jr. is still attached to the renewed Happy Endings and the show has a long way to go.

Debbie:

Heh, OK, then maybe I don’t hate Zooey Deschanel as much as I thought I did! Gotta say, I do love Damon Wayans Jr. on Happy Endings.

Bob:

Totally. With all that being said, I’ll probably still give the show a few episodes, because I do have a soft spot for Zooey Deschanel, and it’s hard to judge comedies from pilot episodes.

Debbie:

I don’t know her from anything else except this trailer … so you can understand my lack of Zooey Deschanel enthusiasm.
I really have nothing to say about the other two comedies — Allen Gregory and I Hate My Teenage Daughter. No wait — yes I do: cartoon and bitches. That is all.

Ironically, the two shows I’m most looking forward to on FOX didn’t make it to the fall schedule: Alcatraz and The Finder. That Alcatraz trailer was GOOD.

Bob:

I’m not sure that’s the indictment that it used to be. There are a lot of great shows that are held for mid-season these days, and especially on FOX, where so much of there schedule is taken up with reality competitions.

Debbie:

I know, I just don’t want to wait!

Bob:

It does look very interesting. I just hope it’s a lot more Lost than it is Undercovers. JJ Abrams‘s track record hasn’t been so shiny lately.

Debbie:

*Humming and blocking ears at the mention of JJ Abrams* I can pretend. …

Bob:

Don’t worry, it could be worse. After all, Keifer Sutherland‘s new midseason show Touch is being run by Tim Kring, he of Heroes infamy.

Debbie:

Eek! Can we use those dirty words on a public website? And they aren’t even releasing trailers of that one … suspicious. …

Bob:

Well, it is listed as “in development.” I wonder if they have even shot a pilot yet.

Debbie:

So to sum up — FOX canceled everything and brought in nothing … except X-Factor which neither of us even mentioned … uh-oh, Simon … that can’t be a good sign.

Bob:

I’ll check it out, but my tolerance for reality program is very low.

Debbie:

How low can you go?

Bob:

Honestly? Probably half an episode.

Debbie:

But that will be enough for you to say, “Hey, cool that Simon and Paula are back together!” You can hold your own at the water cooler.

Bob:

True enough.