Fox adds comedy, thriller to TV's strongest lineup

Fri, May 16 12:04 AM

By Paul Thomasch

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Fox Broadcasting on Thursday rolled out a fall television schedule that adds a science-fiction thriller from one of TV's hottest producers, and a workplace comedy, to a lineup that is already tops with viewers.

Among the major broadcast networks, the News Corp unit is clearly sitting in the catbird seat, finishing out a season as the most watched network -- both overall and with younger viewers -- thanks to its blockbuster "American Idol."

Supporting "American Idol" is a roster filled with hits like "House" and "Bones," not to mention the countdown thriller "24," set to return after its current season was thwarted by the screenwriters' strike.

With a lineup that strong and a development season that was abbreviated by the strike, Fox decided to add just two new shows this fall.

"We looked at our schedule and thought we don't need a lot, and the good news is we got what we need," Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly said on a call with reporters.

Fox is putting big publicity behind "Fringe," a new science-fiction drama from J.J. Abrams, the force behind the popular castaway thriller "Lost" on Walt Disney Co's ABC. He was also behind past audience favorites "Alias" and "Felicity."

"There are high expectations for this," said Reilly. "The guy delivers on those expectations."

"Fringe," a thriller about three characters who uncover a mystery they fear is part of a large and terrifying pattern, will be teamed on Tuesday nights with medical drama "House."

Fox also picked up "Do Not Disturb." The comedy stars Jerry O'Connell -- known for his turn in the crime drama "Crossing Jordan" -- as a manager at a hip New York City hotel.

Among the shows left off the 2008-09 schedule is the comedy "Back to You," starring five-time Emmy Award winner Kelsey Grammer.

BIG MIDSEASON PUSH

Fox is the last of the major broadcast networks to roll out its 2008-09 schedule, following ABC, CBS and General Electric Co's NBC, which broke with tradition and unveiled its lineup last month.

Next up, the networks will get down to signing about $9 billion worth of commercial deals with advertisers for the new season.

More than any other network, Fox has banked on the second half of the TV season to win viewers, a period when it rolls out "American Idol" and "24."

It promised at least four new additions to the lineup in the fall, including an unscripted series called "Secret Millionaire" and animated comedies "The Cleveland Show" and "Sit Down, Shut Up."

But the most anticipated of the new midseason shows is action drama "Dollhouse" from Joss Whedon, who was behind teen supernatural hit "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

The show is about an organization that carries out missions after the personalities of its members are wiped out, allowing them to take on any persona.

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