Fox Reveals Trimmed-Down ‘American Idol’ Results Show as Part of Winter Schedule
Fox has set premiere dates for some winter premieres, including “American Idol” and “The Following” while also announcing a shift in format for the music contest’s results show.
“American Idol,” which will bow with a two-night, four-hour premiere on Jan. 15 and 16, will trim its Thursday results show to 30 minutes for eight weeks in the spring. This will provide a good lead-in for new Christopher Meloni comedy “Surviving Jack,” which will air at 8:30 p.m.
Amid declining ratings for most reality warhorses, “Idol” becomes the second big broadcast reality show to trim its results show. ABC actually took it a step further, eliminating its hourlong Tuesday “Dancing With the Stars” results show this fall to make room for some new shows.
An exact premiere date for “Surviving Jack” will be announced at a later time, but it’s possible that it will oppose comedies on both CBS and NBC. CBS went to a four-comedy Thursday block this season, and NBC is trying to retain the four-comedy template on the night but hasn’t had much ratings luck with its fall offerings.
Fox also plans to air another new comedy, “Us & Them,” this spring but it has not determined its timeslot.
Kevin Bacon drama “The Following,” which was Fox’s top-rated drama of last season, will kick off its second season on Jan. 20, one night after the net’s coverage of football NFC Championship game. “Sleepy Hollow” will air its finale that night at a special time, giving a good lead-in for “The Following.”
Greg Kinnear drama “Rake” will bow on Sunday, Jan. 19 after the NFC Championship, and then slide into its regular Thursday 9 p.m. slot four days later. “Glee” will return in the spring.
Fox previously announced that Army-set comedy “Enlisted” will bow Jan. 10, airing at 9:30 p.m. behind “Raising Hope.”
In latenight, Fox’s young Animation Domination High-Def franchise is adding “Lucas Bros. Moving Co.” and “Golan the Insatiable” starting Saturday, Jan. 11. The pair will air from 11 p.m. to midnight after getting a preview on Nov. 23.
FOX SEASON AND SERIES PREMIERE DATES
(Times for All-New Episodes are ET/PT Except as Noted)
Friday, Jan. 10:
9:30-10:00 PM ENLISTED (Series Premiere)
Saturday, Jan. 11:
11:00 PM-Midnight ANIMATION DOMINATION HIGH-DEF, featuring
LUCAS BROS. MOVING CO. and GOLAN THE INSATIABLE
Wednesday, Jan. 15:
8:00-10:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Season Premiere, Part One)
Thursday, Jan. 16:
8:00-10:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Season Premiere, Part Two)
Sunday, Jan. 19:
6:00-10:00 PM ET NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (Live)
10:00-11:00 PM ET/ RAKE (Series Premiere, Night One)
7:00-8:00 PM PT
Monday, Jan. 20:
8:00-9:00 PM SLEEPY HOLLOW (Season Finale; Special Time)
9:00-10:00 PM THE FOLLOWING (Season Premiere)
Thursday, Jan. 23:
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Time Period Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM RAKE (Series Premiere, Night Two / Time Period Premiere)
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