Upfronts 2013: Fox

Having slipped to third place overall this year, Fox is the second of the four major networks to present at this year’s Upfronts. Overall, there schedule looks more interesting than NBC, and they are definitely taking some risks, both with the type of show they are programming, but also with the timing of the premieres. It’s worth noting that since Fox only programs 2 hours per night, as compared to the other network’s 3, they have fewer shows hitting the air and can therefore be a little pickier about what they show, not that that has always translated to better television, but it’s a nice thought.

Almost Human

J.J. Abrams and J.H. Wyman, the team behind Fringe, team again on a series about humans and androids working together as cops in the future. That’s really all you need to know to want to check it out. At that very least, it should be an interesting failure, and at best, it could be another high quality, thought provoking series from the duo.

Sleepy Hollow

Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci’s work has been decidedly hit and miss. The premise for Sleepy Hollow sounds so far fetched it’s had to imagine it being anything other and a miss, but I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. It follows Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman, both from the classic story, who have been resurrected 250 years after their deaths. Ichabod will have to work to solve a mystery dating back to his original time period.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

This new cop comedy looks to be Fox’s most promising in the genre. The talent behind the scenes is impressive enough to warrant giving it a chance.

Dads

This looks to be typical Seth McFarlane fare, but this time in live action. It follows two men whose dads are forced to move in with them. Expect plenty of sophomoric humour.

Enlisted

Three brothers all in the army, and all on the same base in Florida. They’re not good enough to be deployed, but not bad enough to be kicked out, so they are forever stuck on the base. If there’s really nothing more to it than that, don’t expect this to last long.

Gang Related

A former gang member who is now somehow working for the LAPD in the gang unit has his allegiance to both sides tested on a weekly basis. A terribly bland looking procedural with a cast of second string action movie actors and written by the writer of Fast Five, this one may generate enough interest to stick around, but the chances of it being a good series are slim.

Rake

This is House with lawyers instead of doctors. Doesn’t seem to have much of a catch beyond the idea of a damaged but brilliant lawyer.

Murder Police

Another cop comedy, but this one is animated. Though the title is likely intentionally terrible, it doesn’t bode well for the series itself.

Surviving Jack

When his wife goes back to work, Jack is forced to be a full time dad to his teenage son. This likelihood of this single camera comedy being good will depend a lot on the tone the show chooses to take.

Us & Them

This year’s attempt at recreating Friends, this romantic comedy follows two people falling in love while surrounded by zany friends. None of the previous two dozen attempts to recapture the ratings powerhouse were successful, and there’s nothing apparent here to suggest this one has finally cracked the formula.

Wayward Pines

Though the press release name checks Twin Peaks, this series sounds more Stepford Wives than Lynch. Produced by M. Night Shyamalan and running as a miniseries, the promise of a set ending may be enough to make this one worth watching, without the fear of it spinning out of control in an effort to stretch out over multiple seasons.

24: Live Another Day

Because it is apparently what we all really needed, 24 is being resurrected as a 12 episode miniseries (so maybe it should be called 12?) You already know exactly what to expect here. Given the mess that the original run of the series turned into, there’s not much reason to check this out. One can only hope this crashes and burns and finally puts the rumours of a 24 movie (called 2, perhaps?) to rest.

That wraps up Fox. Check back tomorrow for a look at what ABC will be giving us this year.