Fox (NWS-A) will probably be the least hit of the major networks by the writers' strike, but that won't give any comfort to the fans of "24" and Jack Bauer.
A recently released midseason schedule has "24" missing in action, as Fox said it couldn't guarantee an uninterrupted series this year. Most of this is because the just about gutted the entire original script for the series and started over, postponing shooting.
Fox added that the new schedule could also be subject to more changes in the future.
Fortunately, the highly anticipated "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" is still on the schedule, and has been changed to premiere over a two night period - January 13-14.
The Fox powerhouse "American Idol" returns right after the premiere of "Chronicles" on January 15-16. Another unscripted new game show "The Moment of Truth" premieres the next week on January 23.
Other new shows scattered throughout the spring will include a New York City detective in "New Amsterdam." The twist here is the detective is immortal. "New Amsterdam" premieres in February.
March will bring with it a new comedy, as the Farrelly Brothers will launch their "Unhitched." A comedy from Amy Palladino, who created "Gilmore Girls" will debut in April, called "The Return of Jezebel James."
Another reality show "When Women Rule" will also launch in March, looking at role-reversals.
Finally, Julianna Margulies will star in a legal drama named "Canterbury's Law," which launches in April.
It seems the point of Fox releasing this schedule is to let viewers know that they have a lot of new show and series on tap starting at the beginning of they year, and continuing on to late spring.
It's to battle the perception that everything will be reruns because of the writers strike. Even so, fans of "24" won't have any relief because of the problems that plagued this years production.
Comment Preview