FOX Upfronts

FOX is cutting back on scripted programming and adding more game shows to their fall schedule released during their upfront presentation earlier this week.  The week starts with game shows on Monday, with the returning Name That Tune followed by Celebrity Weakest Link, brought over from NBC.  Tuesday has a second installment of Murder in a Small Town followed by season two of Doc.

Competitions are the order of the day on Wednesday, with the latest installment of The Floor followed by 99 to Beat, based on a Belgium show where 100 contestants compete for a $100,000 prize.  Thursdays focus on reality competitions, with new editions of Hell’s Kitchen and Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.  Sports remains the focus on Friday, with college football and basketball filling the night.  Sunday, as always, is Animation Domination, with The SimpsonsUniversal Basic Guys, Krapopolis, and Bob’s Burgers wrapping things up following football.

New shows on tap for midseason include Fear Factor: The Next Chapter, a “bigger, bolder and more daring” reality show based on the NBC hit from the early 2000s.  On the comedy front the Josh Charles project Best Medicine, which is planned to team with Doc.  Drama-wise, Memory of a Killer is a dramatic thriller inspired by an award-winning 2003 Belgian film.  Returning shows include American Dad!, Animal ControlBeat Shazam, Don’t Forget the Lyrics!ExtractedThe FaithfulFamily Guy, Going DutchGrimsburgKitchen NightmaresThe Masked Singer, Next Level Baker, and Next Level Chef.  Decisions have yet to be made about Alert: Missing Persons Unit, The Cleaning Lady, or Accused.

Gone and mostly forgotten are 9-1-1: Lone Star and Rescue: HI-Surf.

FOX Upfronts

For the first time in three years, FOX has released a fall schedule during their upfront presentation.  The week starts with procedural dramas on Monday, with the returning 9-1-1: Lone Star followed by Rescue: HI-Surf, a lifeguard drama from ER and The West Wing producer John Wells.  Tuesday is mystery night, with anthology series Accused followed by Murder in a Small Town, a foreign production starring Kristin Kreuk and based on the Karl Alberg series of books by L.R. Wright.

Family-friendly competitions are the order of the day on Wednesday, with the latest installment of The Masked Singer followed by The Floor.  Thursdays focus on reality competitions, with new editions of Hell’s Kitchen and Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.  Sports is taking over Friday, with college football and basketball filling the night.  Sunday, as always, is Animation Domination, with The SimpsonsUniversal Basic GuysBob’s Burgers, and Krapopolis wrapping things up following football.

On tap for midseason in the drama realm is a third season of Alert: Missing Persons Unit, a fourth season of The Cleaning Lady, Doc, a new medical drama based of an Italian series and starring Molly Parker.  Comedies waiting for a spot include Animal Control, Family Guy, Going Dutch, a new military series starring Denis Leary, The Great North, and Grimsburg.  Reality planned for the winter/spring includes Crime Scene Kitchen, Extracted, Lego Masters, MasterChef, Name That Tune, and Next Level Chef.

Gone and mostly forgotten is Housebroken.