Fox announces 2011-12 primetime schedule
Fox announced its 2011-12 primetime schedule today, which includes “The X Factor” and “Terra Nova” making fall debuts.
Singing competition “The X Factor” marks the return of Simon Cowell to Fox. Cowell will join Antonio “L.A”. Reid, Cheryl Cole and Paula Abdul as judges of a competition whose winner will receive a $5 million recording contract with Syco/Sony Music.
“Terra Nova,” executive-produced by Steven Spielberg, Peter Chernin, René Echevarria and Brannon Braga, stars Jason O’Mara and Stephen Lang, and follows an ordinary family on an extraordinary trip back in time to prehistoric Earth as a small part of an experiment to save the human race, according to a news release.
Also premiering this fall are half-hour comedies “New Girl (working title)” and “I Hate My Teenage Daughter (working title).”
Zooey Deschanel stars in “New Girl” as Jess, an offbeat girl who moves in with three single guys after she has a bad breakup.
Jaime Pressly and Kate Finneran star in “I Hate My Teenage Daughter” as single mothers/lifelong friends (and former nerds) who are afraid their privileged and overly indulged daughters are turning out to be like the girls who picked on them in high school.
“Allen Gregory” is a new animated comedy joining the Animation Domination Sunday schedule this fall. This show is created by, and features the voice of, Jonah Hill and centers on the story of Allen Gregory, a pretentious 7-year-old leaving the safety of homeschooling to attend elementary school.
“Alcatraz” and “The Finder” are two new dramas set to premiere in mideason.
“Alcatraz,” from executive producer J.J. Abrams and writer Elizabeth Sarnoff, stars Sarah Jones, Jorge Garcia and Sam Neill, and centers on America’s infamous prison and the mysterious return of its most notorious criminals.
“The Finder,” created by Hart Hanson, is a new procedural drama that features Geoff Stults as an Iraq war vet with an extraordinary ability to help people find the unfindable.
Also premiering midseason is “Napoleon Dynamite,” an animated comedy based on the movie that presents the voices of the film’s original cast in the continuing adventures of Napoleon Dynamite and his family and friends in rural Idaho.
A new show scheduled to go into pilot production in June is “Touch,” which stars Kiefer Sutherland as a single father and focuses on his relationship with his 11-year-old son with special needs. The father-and-son’s relationship, as well as their lives, take an extraordinary turn when the gifted son starts to make connections in his life and around the world.
Returning Fox series include “American Dad,” “American Idol,” “America’s Most Wanted (quarterly specials),” “Bob’s Burgers,” “Bones,” “The Cleveland Show,” “Cops,” “Family Guy,” “Fringe,” “Glee,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” “House,” “Kitchen Nightmares,” “Masterchef,” “Mobbed (specials),” “Raising Hope,” “The Simpsons” and “So You Think You Can Dance.”
2011 primetime schedules, provided by Fox, are as follows:
FALL SCHEDULE:
MONDAY
7-8 PM TERRA NOVA (new)
8-9 PM HOUSE
TUESDAY
7-8 PM GLEE
8-8:30 PM NEW GIRL (wt) (new)
8:30-9 PM RAISING HOPE
WEDNESDAY
7-8:30 PM THE X FACTOR Performance Show (new)
8:30-9 PM I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER (wt) (new)
THURSDAY
7-8 PM THE X FACTOR Results Show (new)
8-9 PM BONES
FRIDAY
7-8 PM KITCHEN NIGHTMARES
8-9 PM FRINGE
SATURDAY
7-7:30 PM COPS
7:30-8 PM COPS
8-9 PM ENCORES / AMERICA’S MOST WANTED (specials)
SUNDAY
6-6:30 PM THE OT (NFL post-game)
6:30-7 PM THE CLEVELAND SHOW
7-7:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
7:30-8 PM ALLEN GREGORY (new)
8-8:30 PM FAMILY GUY
8:30-9 PM AMERICAN DAD
MIDSEASON SCHEDULE
MONDAY
7-8 PM HOUSE
8-9 PM ALCATRAZ (new)
TUESDAY
7-8 PM GLEE
8-8:30 PM NEW GIRL (wt) (new)
8:30-9 PM RAISING HOPE
WEDNESDAY
7-8:30 PM AMERICAN IDOL Performance Show
8:30-9 PM I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER (wt) (new)
THURSDAY
7-8 PM AMERICAN IDOL Results Show
8-9 PM THE FINDER (new) / BONES (spring)
FRIDAY
7-8 PM KITCHEN NIGHTMARES
8-9 PM FRINGE
SATURDAY
7-7:30 PM COPS
7:30-8 PM COPS
8-9 PM ENCORES / AMERICA’S MOST WANTED (specials)
SUNDAY
6-6:30 PM ANIMATION DOMINATION (encores)
6:30-7 PM THE CLEVELAND SHOW
7-7:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
7:30-8 PM NAPOLEON DYNAMITE (new)
8-8:30 PM FAMILY GUY
8:30-9 PM BOB’S BURGERS
“Fringe” weekly giveaway promotion starts today
From left, Joshua Jackson, Anna Torv and John Noble of "Fringe" - Fox Photo by Andrew Macpherson
Beginning today, April 15, and continuing until the season finale May 6, fans of the sci-fi drama “Fringe” will have a weekly opportunity to win replicas of select props and items seen on the series, including a branded chairback from the set in Vancouver.
On Fridays after 11 a.m., “Fringe” fans can go to www.fox.com/fringe or www.facebook.com/fringe to begin a search for clues that will lead them to the code word hidden in “Fringe” content.
Fans who succeed in finding the code word can enter it upon check-in at GetGlue, a leading social network for entertainment. This will unlock online “Fringe” stickers and also enter the user into the weekly drawing.
This giveaway promotion is open to all fans who are at least 18 years of age who check in to “Fringe” at www.getglue.com.
Every Thursday one winner will be chosen at random by GetGlue from all of the entries made between the preceding Friday through Wednesday entry period.
For complete information, official rules and details, visit www.getglue.com.
Rules for earning entries by checking in to “Fringe” on GetGlue, and the prizes, as listed in a news release, are as follows:
- Check in at any time (1 entry)
- Check in during the on-air broadcast of the show (3 entries)
- Check in at any time and enter the weekly code (3 entries)
- Check in during the on-air broadcast of the show and enter the weekly code (5 entries)
Weekly giveaways of “Fringe” replica props and items include:
- Doomsday Machine Blueprints: Be one of the few that can help Peter Bishop (Josh Jackson) piece together the Doomsday Machine with these detailed blueprints.
- The Observer’s Doomsday Drawing: This revealing drawing of the Doomsday Machine by the Observer was left for Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv).
- Massive Dynamic Stock Certificates: Join Walter Bishop (John Noble) as a “shareholder” in the world’s foremost biotechnology company.
- “Fringe” Prize Pack (Includes “Show Me” ID Cards and Lanyards, Ear Cuff and Branded Chairback): These otherworldly items easily identify Olivia and William Bell (Leonard Nimoy) “over there”; watch your favorite episodes of “Fringe” in this chairback directly from the set in Vancouver.
“Fringe” airs at 8 p.m. Fridays on Fox.
“Glee” to feature the music of Lady Gaga in special 90-minute episode April 26
The "Glee" cast: At far left, Jane Lynch, and then pictured clockwise from left: Kevin McHale, Harry Shum Jr., Amber Riley, Naya RIvera, Dianna Agron, Cory Monteith, Chris Colfer, Heather Morris, Lea Michele, Mark Salling, Matthew Morrison, Jenna Ushkowitz and Chord Overstreet - Fox Photo by Chris Cuffaro, Miranda Penn Turin and Joe Viles
“Glee” pays tribute to Lady Gaga April 26 in a special 90-minute episode that will spotlight New Directions performing her most recent hit “Born This Way.”
The show’s synopsis, provided by Fox, is as follows:
Mr. Schuester (Matthew Morrison) teaches the glee club a valuable lesson about self-acceptance and embracing what makes you unique through the music of Lady Gaga. Meanwhile, Lauren Zizes (guest star Ashley Fink) and Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron) go toe-to-toe for the prom queen crown, Ms. Pillsbury (Jayma Mays) confronts her obsessive issues, Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) struggles with a life-altering decision and Santana Lopez (Naya Rivera) has something up her sleeve that could permanently alter the glee club dynamic.
“Glee” returns with new episodes at 7 p.m. April 19 on Fox.
“Fringe” renewed for fourth season
From left, Lance Reddick, Blair Brown, Joshua Jackson, Anna Torv, John Noble and Jasika Nicole star in "Fringe." - Fox Photo by Smallz and Raskind
Fox has announced today it has renewed sci-fi drama “Fringe” for a fourth season.
“’Fringe’ has truly hit a creative stride and has distinguished itself as one of television’s most original programs. The series’ ingenious producers, amazingly talented cast and crew, as well as some of the most passionate and loyal fans on the planet, made this fourth-season pickup possible,” Kevin Reilly, President, Entertainment for Fox Broadcasting Company, said in a news release today. “When we moved the show to Fridays, we asked the fans to follow and they did. We’re thrilled to bring it back for another full season and keep it part of the Fox family.”
“‘Fringe” co-creator and executive producer J.J. Abrams also said in the news release, “We could not be happier that the fans of ‘Fringe’ (and our most excellent partners at Fox) have allowed us to continue telling stories from the fringe for another season!”
“This early pickup comes at a perfect time as we start production on the Season Three finale,” ‘Fringe’ showrunners and executive producers Jeff Pinkner and J.H. Wyman added in the release. “We join the cast and crew in thanking our loyal fans and Fox for allowing us to have this much fun telling stories we love.”
The synopsis of tonight’s episode “Bloodline,” provided by Fox, is as follows:
The intensity of life “over there” accelerates as a pregnant Olivia (Anna Torv) is kidnapped and finds herself in mortal danger. As the Fringe Division races against time to find her, agent Lincoln Lee (guest star Seth Gabel) receives some heartbreaking news as Walter (John Noble) stops at nothing to preserve the new branch of the Bishop family tree.
“Fringe” airs at 8 p.m. Fridays on Fox.
“Terra Nova” now set for fall premiere
From left: Landon Liboiron, Shelley Conn, Jason O'Mara, Alana Mansour and Naomi Scott of "Terra Nova" - Fox Photo by Michael Lavine
Fox’s new family adventure series “Terra Nova” has now been scheduled to premiere this fall, foregoing a special preview airing this spring.
“Terra Nova” is one of the most ambitious television series ever produced,” Fox Broadcasting Company’s President of Entertainment Kevin Reilly said in a news release. “The cutting-edge visual effects used to create the world of “Terra Nova,” which is of massive scope and scale, require more time to be realized. This aspect of the series is essential, so we are pushing back the special early preview date to give the visual effects team the time needed for their ground-breaking work.”
The plot line of “Terra Nova” involves an ordinary family taking a journey back in time to prehistoric Earth as a small part of an experiment to save the human race.
With the planet dying in the year 2149, being overdeveloped, overcrowded and overpolluted with no known way to reverse the damage, scientists discover a portal to prehistoric Earth.
This portal leads to an amazing world that allows for a last-chance effort to save the human race.
The Shannon family joins the Tenth Pilgrimage, the first colony founded in “Terra Nova,” led by Commander Nathaniel Taylor (Stephen Lang).
Jim Shannon (Jason O’Mara) guides his family, wife Elisabeth (Shelley Conn) and children Josh (Landon Liboiron), Maddy (Naomi Scott) and Zoe (Alana Mansour) on the adventure through this new land.
Along with its beauty, “Terra Nova” provides new opportunities and fresh beginnings to its latest arrivals, but the family has brought with them a secret that may threaten their citizenship in this world.
The Shannons soon find out that “Terra Nova” isn’t as idyllic as it appears, with the areas surrounding it brimming with danger – and not only of the man-eating dinosaur kind.
The family will come to presume that not everybody on this mission is on the same page about how to best save mankind and that there may even be forces intent on eradicating this new world before it even begins.
“Terra Nova” is produced by 20th Century Fox Television, Chernin Entertainment, DreamWorks Television and Kapital Entertainment, with Peter Chernin, Steven Spielberg, René Echevarria, Brannon Braga, Aaron Kaplan, Katherine Pope, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank, Jon Cassar, Craig Silverstein and Kelly Marcel serving as executive producers.
Also, Alex Graves serves as executive producer and directed the series premiere.
“The X Factor” open auditions to be held in Dallas May 26
"The X Factor's" Simon Cowell - Fox Photo by Ian Derry
Fox network’s singing competition series “The X Factor,” scheduled to debut this fall, will hold auditions at the Dallas Convention Center May 26 in Dallas.
Registration and wristband distribution will begin at 6 a.m., according to a news release.
Interested solo artists and vocal groups of at least 12 years of age can sign up now for audition information at www.fox.com/theXfactor or call toll-free at (855) 345-5678.
Current audition schedule is as follows:
CITY DATE VENUE
Los Angeles, CA March 27 L.A. Sports Arena
Miami, FL April 7 Bank United Center
Newark, NJ April 14 Prudential Center
Seattle, WA April 20 Key Arena
Chicago, IL April 27 Sears Centre Arena
Dallas, TX May 26 Dallas Convention Center
“Glee” fans: Would you like to be “Gleek of the Week?”
Members of the "Glee" cast, with Jane Lynch at center, then clockwise from bottom left: Matthew Morrison, Dianna Agron, Mark Salling, Cory Monteith, Naya Rivera, Amber Riley, Chris Colfer, Heather Morris, Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz and Lea Michele. - Fox Photo by Miranda Penn Turin
Beginning tonight and for every new episode of “Glee” this season, Fox is going to name one lucky fan of the show “Gleek of the Week.”
To participate, follow “Glee” on Twitter (@GLEEonFOX) and/or Facebook (www.facebook.com/Glee), go through the instructions and explain why you’re the show’s biggest fan.
The winning fan may be identified with their photo and Twitter and/or Facebook username on-air at the end of each week’s episode, according to a news release.
The promotion ends with the season finale in May.
Complete information about this promotion can be found on the official “Glee” fan page on Facebook.
“Glee” airs at 7 p.m. Tuesdays on Fox.
“American Idol” offers online voting for the first time ever
"American Idol's" Ryan Seacrest, Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson - Fox Photo by Tony Duran
“American Idol” will allow viewers to vote for their favorite contestants online for the first time ever immediately after the first performance show airing from 7 to 8:30 p.m. March 1 on Fox, according to a news release.
To vote online during the voting window, fans can go to www.americanidol.com and follow the instructions.
Fans will be required to log in using their Facebook account to access the voting page for the show, which will feature the name and photo of each of the current contestants.
Fans can then choose their favorite contestant, complete the security verification and submit their vote.
Fans may cast up to 50 total online votes after each performance show during the online voting window.
Viewers also have the opportunity to vote via toll-free phone lines and – if you’re an AT&T wireless customer – via text message. AT&T customers can submit unlimited text votes during the voting window.
Phone lines will be open for at least two hours after each performance show and fans can vote for their favorite contestant using the branded toll-free numbers (1-866-IDOLS-01, -02, etc.)
AT&T wireless customers can use their cell phones to vote by texting the word “VOTE” to the four-digit short code (5701, 5702, etc.) that goes with the contestant of their choice.
AT&T customers can sign up to receive a free Vote Number Reminder text containing all of the contestants’ names and numbers after each performance show by texting “IDOL” to 3003 (standard text-messaging rates may apply.)
The 12 male semifinalists take the stage for the first time on the show airing from 7 to 8:30 p.m. March 1 on Fox, with the 12 female semifinalists competing the following night during the same time period.
This season’s finalists will then be announced on the March 3 episode which airs from 7 to 9 p.m. on Fox.
Ryan Seacrest hosts “American Idol,” with Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler serving as judges of the singing competition series.
“The X Factor” prize, preliminary audition information announced
The American version of the singing competition series “The X Factor” will award the show’s winner a $5 million record deal, which is billed as the largest guaranteed prize in television history, with Syco, a joint venture between Sony Music and Simon Cowell.
Singers and vocal groups age 12 and over are eligible to audition, with tryouts to begin March 27 in Los Angeles at the L.A. Sports Arena, according to a Fox news release.
Chicago, Dallas, Miami, New York/New Jersey and Seattle will host auditions as well, with specific dates and venues to be announced.
In a change from other singing competition series, the first time a contestant tries out for judges, he/she will audition in front of an audience of thousands, increasing the pressure to impress not only the judges, but also a potential group of fans.
“The X Factor” host and judges panel will be unveiled in the coming weeks and announcements will be made about audition opportunities.
To sign up for audition information, go to www.fox.com/theXfactor.
Eligibility requirements and additional details are also available on the site, but check back regularly for updated information and complete audition rules and registration forms.
Syco Television and FremantleMedia North America produce “The X Factor,” with Simon Cowell, Rob Wade and Siobhan Green executive producing for Syco Television.
Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Richard Holloway and Andrew Llinares serve as executive producers for FremantleMedia North America.
“The Chicago Code” hits the right beat
From left, Jason Clarke, Jennifer Beals and Matt Lauria of "The Chicago Code" - Fox Photo by Justin Stephens
Strong performances make Fox’s new police drama “The Chicago Code” worth tuning in, and it doesn’t hurt that Shawn Ryan, the creator of “The Shield,” is behind this series as well.
“The Chicago Code,” filmed on location in the Windy City, is centered on Chicago Police Department veteran Jarek Wysocki (Jason Clarke) and his ex-partner Teresa Colvin (Jennifer Beals).
Colvin is now the city’s first female superintendent and is in charge of the 10,000-member police force.
In the pilot episode, Colvin lobbies Alderman Ronin Gibbons (Delroy Lindo), a building-magnate-turned-politican, for a city corruption task force, while Wysocki and his new partner Caleb Evers (Matt Lauria) invesigate a suspicious murder in Grant Park.
Beals comes across as a force to be reckoned with, but doesn’t lose her vulnerability.
Clarke’s portrayal of Wysocki sizzles with intensity with just the right amount of humor mixed in.
The chemistry between Beals and Clarke is solid as well, while Lindo is suitably menacing as Gibbons.
All of these ingredients add up to a cop show worth adding to your TV beat.
“The Chicago Code” premieres at 8 p.m. Monday on Fox.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
