Fox Network Fall 2008 TV Schedule

Looking over the new shows coming out this fall, one network usually sticks out in particular which is the Fox Network. What makes Fox different than the other big three networks is that they have one less hour of programming by starting local nightly newscasts at 10 rather than 11 and they also have a high amount of unscripted programming with shows like American Idol, Moment of Truth, Don't Forget the Lyrics and several more. This season Fox is not adding many new shows, last year Fox network added six new shows (K-Ville, Nashville, Next Great American Band, Back to You, Kitchen Nightmares and Don't Forget the Lyrics), this season only two new shows are being introduced, Fringe and Do Not Disturb.

Most of last years new shows are also getting cut, K-Ville, Nashville, Next Great American Band and Back to You have all been canceled. According to tvweek.com Fox announced there schedule this season as follows (new shows are bolded):

September 1: Prison Break
September 3: Bones
September 4: The Moment of Truth
September 5: Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?
September 6: Cops, America's most wanted
September 8: Terminator:Sarah Connor Chronicles
September 9: Fringe
September 10: 'Til Death, Do Not Disturb
September 11: Kitchen Nightmares
September 12: Don't Forget the Lyrics
September 16: House
September 28: The Simpsons, American Dad, King of the Hill & Family Guy

There are several shows scheduled to begin mid-season, including favorites like American Idol and 24, also The Dollhouse a new show created by Joss Whedon of Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame. The main concern for Fox this season is to find a new hit series that can gather a fan base like 24 and House. They will try with a new show by J.J. Abrams, one of the creators of Lost called Fringe. Fringe is a new science fiction show based around 3 characters, a female FBI agent, a research scientist and his son. The FBI agent is sent to investigate a plane that has landed at Boston's Logan Airport with all on board dead, during her investigation she is led to an institutionalized scientist and his estranged son who may or may not help her to solve this mystery. Somewhere along the line they meet a corporate executive that does nothing to help with their investigation and they realize there is a much more shocking, perhaps mysterious cause behind the plane incident which of course leads to the show and the different mysteries/sci-fi events they investigate.

Fox is also hoping to find a hit in Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles, which started out very strong last season but ended on a weak note with viewer ship down. the only problem Fox may see with this show, is that it will eventually be on the same time as fan favorite Dancing with the Stars.

Do not Disturb is the other new Fox series this fall. This comedy is based on a fictitious fancy New York City hotel and their staff hi-jinks.

Overall, by not changing much Fox will probably do well with the "old standby" shows, Prison Break has a good following and with the talk of it being the final season many fans who watched during the first season ill probably tune in to see how the series ends. House has a huge fan base and with all the promotion, DVD's and posters out there Fox will always keep viewers to this show. Fox also has the reality unscripted programming shows that are always a good filler when shows are on hiatus or in repeats.