There will be one thing missing from Fox’s new fall line-up. That’s … well, “new.”
The network has renewed most of this season’s shows (including “Best Medicine,” shown here), but will start the season with zero new shows.
There are a few coming later — a “Baywatch” reboot, plus Stephen Fry’s “Interrogator” and the “Marriage Market” reality show — but they’re not expected until January.
“We have a rich history of launching shows in the mid-season,” said Michael Thorn, the network president.
That’s when shows can be promoted during football games, then can launch right after key games. “Baywatch” — with blue skies, red swimsuits and tanned torsos — is likely to appeal to the football crowd. In ad sales, advertising director Katrina Cukaj said, the car sponsor has already been lined up ant the beer sponsor will be set soon.
Fox did fail with a lifeguard show (“Rescue HI-Surf”) two years ago, but Thorn said this one will be “soapier, juicier” and more famous. The original ran for a decade (1989-99) and was syndicated worldwide. “There’s only one ‘Baywatch.’ It’s one of the most iconic, popular franchises in TV history.”
Another new show has a sort of link to the network’s past: “Interrogator” is written and produced by Fry, who also stars as a quirky crimesolver, semi-handled by a colleague (Jenna Elfman). His long-time comedy partner, Hugh Laurie, starred in Fox’s “House”; now, two decades later, it’s Fry’s turn.
But those shows will have to wait. So will “Marriage Market,” in which — sort of like the old-world dayd — parents arrange everything.
The jam-up is partly caused by success in the current season. “We had six freshman series renewed,” said Dan Harrison, head of program planning. That was led by “Best Medicine,” the amiable “Doc Martin” reboot. Sometime during the season, he said, Fox will go from one night of dramas to two.
And it’s partly due to a sort of hoarders’ trait. “We do buy more shows than are needed,” said Rob Wade, the network CEO. After troubles with Covid and strikes, there’s a tendency to stock up. “It’s better to have a show ready to go than to rush it.”
Still, there are also shortfalls. After canceling Denis Leary’s “Going Dutch,” Fox will only have one non-cartoon comedy. That’s “Animal Control,” which will be burrowed into the Sunday animation block.
The schedule — with some summer shows still waiting for renewal — is:
— Mondays: “Celebrity Name That Tune,” 9 p.m.; “Celebrity Weakest Link,” 9.
— Tuesdays: “Best Medicine,” 8; “Doc,” 9.
— Wednesdays: “The Floor,” 8; “99 to Beat,”9.
— Thursdays: “Hell’s Kitchen,” 8; “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test,” 9.
— Fridays and Saturdays: College football and other sports.
— Sundays: “The Simpsons,” 8 ; “Animal Control,: 8:30; “Universal Basic Guys,” 9; “Grimsburg,” 9:30.
ALSO:
— Dramas for mid-season: New shows, “Baywatch” and “The Interrogator”; returning ones, “Memory of a Killer” and “Murder in a Small Town.”
— Cartoons for mid-season: “Family Guy,” “Bob’s Burgers,” “Krapopolis,” “American Dad.”
— Unscripted shows for mid-season and beyond: New show: “Marriage Market”; food shows — “Crime Scene Kitchen,” “Next Level Chef,” “Gordon Ramsay’s Secret Service” and “MasterChef.” Survival shows — “Fear Factor” and “Extracted.” Also — “Lego Masters” and “Don’t Forget the Lyrics.”
— And for the 2027-28 season: “Stewie” (a “Family Guy” spin-off) and “Highway to Heaven.”