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Fall is approaching, and you know what that means: Football, changing leaves, and a brand new line-up for television. On that last front, Fox has one of the most interesting slates for 2017.
Whereas network television typically sticks to by-the-books sitcoms and dramas, Fox’s fall plans mark a bit of a departure from tradition. From sci-fi and paranormal comedies like The Orville and Ghosted to the continuation of Lee Daniels’ epic musically-themed universe, Fox has a lot in store for this new year. From new series to returning classics, here’s your guide to the most exciting announcements from Fox’s newest shows as well as the status of your favorites.
Fox NOW seems to be doing well.
The network started is TCA session by highlighting some of its viewing strengths. Both Empire and Bob’s Burgers were referenced as shows that have seen significant audience growth partially as a result of streaming, and Fox revealed that its audience tended to skew younger than most of its competitors. It was also revealed that Fox NOW, the network’s streaming app, has grown 200 percent over the past five years.
'The Gifted' is going to be the first family-focused X-Men show, but it won't star the X-Men.
Perhaps one of the most interesting shows in Fox’s upcoming fall lineup is Marvel’s The Gifted. Because this is a Marvel show, the cast and producers didn’t give much away, but they did emphasize that The Gifted is intended to be watched as a family drama that happens to have superheroes rather than a superhero show. Even more interestingly, the panel also revealed that though the show will reference the X-Men, though this is an X-Men series that exists in a world where the X-Men team is currently not around. That absence is immediately felt in the show’s first season.
'The Four' is positioning itself to become the next 'American Idol.'
Though it ended American Idol last year, Fox isn’t quite out of the singing reality competition game. The network announced The Four today, a singing reality competition that will pit four hand-selected undiscovered singers against one another. However, there’s a twist. Anyone from around the country will be able to challenge these four singers for their title. There are still some details the show needs to iron out (like its working title name), but so far it sounds like an exciting addition to reality TV.
'Ghosted' proves that Craig Robinson and Adam Scott really love each other.
It wasn’t long before the panel for Ghosted, Fox’s paranormal buddy comedy, turned into a compliment session between stars Craig Robinson and Adam Scott. “When I first saw him I said I want to work with that dude,” Robinson said of his co-star.
It didn’t take Scott long to fire back with the love. “He is deeply funny, so I’ve always wanted to do something with Craig,” Scott said. Aside from Ghosted, the duo have only ever starred together in Hot Tub Time Machine 2. However, they come from similar sitcom environments. Robinson is perhaps best known for his role on The Office and Scott for his on Parks and Recreation.
'Empire’s time change won’t affect its sexiness.
This season, Empire is moving up to a new time slot — Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET. However, fans don’t need to worry about the series toning anything down. “Empire is going to be Empire, and I think our fans will follow us” creator Lee Daniels said.
There are some big developments in store for Season 4. For one, series star Jussie Smollett will be directing Episode 14 of this season. Also, Taye Diggs, Demi Moore, and Phylicia Rashad are all scheduled to make guest appearances.
Taraji P. Henson loves the idea of starring in a comedy movie.
Studio executives better pay attention because the award-winning actress is serious about this. When asked is she would be open to starring in a comedy movie, Henson lit up and adamantly said she would be. Smollett jumped in as well, praising Henson’s onstage presence and hilarity before calling her “the love child of Bette Davis and Samuel L. Jackson.”
There are going to be original songs in 'A Christmas Story.'
The latest in the growing trend of live network musical specials will be Fox’s A Christmas Story. The adaptation will premiere on December 17 and will be produced by Marc Platt, the producer behind Grease: Live! and La La Land. However, the most exciting element of the project will undoubtedly be the music. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who are known for their work on Dear Evan Hansen and for being the lyricists behind La La Land’s “City of Stars,” are involved in the project, and they confirmed the Fox special will feature new songs that have never been heard before.
'The Orville' doesn’t think its in competition with 'Star Trek Discovery.'
Seth MacFarlane’s ode to sci-fi has given many critics pause due to its obvious similarities to Star Trek. But during the show’s TCA panel, the cast and creators enforced they didn’t see their show as being in competition with CBS’s upcoming Star Trek: Discovery. “I think there’s room for two shows on a spaceship. There’s more than two cop shows,” Executive Producer David A. Goodman said.
MacFarlane did admit the show borrowed a lot from another series he’s been involved in — Cosmos. According to the creator, his work on Cosmos taught him how to make really high-end visual work on a budget. The Orville hopes to recreate all the elaborate joys of ‘90s sci-fi while remaining optimistic about science, technology, and the future. “I miss the hopeful side of science fiction,” MacFarlane said.
