This is an Upfront season like no other and, for networks we even get schedules from, a fall schedule like no other. FOX was the first network to attempt to put together a fall schedule that will be mostly coronavirus-proof. So here it is!
MONDAYS
8:00 LA's Finest (Network Premiere)
9:00 NEXT
Since it is unclear when live action scripted series will be able to film again, FOX is piecing together a schedule with some scripted series already in the can. They will bring LA's Finest, which has been airing as a Spectrum original, to broadcast TV. The show was originally developed for NBC and was a high profile pass in Spring 2018 before Spectrum picked it up. Season One will air on FOX in the fall while Season Two premieres on Spectrum next month. NeXt is a sci-fi drama that was picked up last year and this time and had been slated for a summer debut. It's not a great sign when you have to use a show you were going to burn-off in the summer in a prime fall slot, but it had all its episodes completed and that's a rarity.
TUESDAYS
8:00 Cosmos: Possible Worlds (2nd season)
9:00 FILTHY RICH
Tuesday also has a pieced together schedule. Cosmos: Possible Worlds is the follow-up to 2014's Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey. It was originally slated to air in March 2019 but got pushed back after sexual harassment allegations against host Neil deGrasse Tyson. The series aired on National Geographic Channel this spring. It is followed by Filthy Rich. Like NeXt, Filthy Rich was part of this year's slate of originals. It was originally targeted for last fall but pushed back due to schedule issues and never got on the air this spring. Now it gets an upgrade (if you want to call it that in this environment) to a fall slot.
WEDNESDAYS
8:00 The Masked Singer (4th edition)
9:00 Masterchef Junior (8th edition)
FOX is banking on being able to have a new edition of The Masked Singer even if it can't involve a live audience. It's the only show on the fall schedule that isn't actually filmed yet. They have plans to go back into production in August and hopefully things will be somewhat better by then. It seems hard to imagine them being able to do it remotely the way The Voice and American Idol have. If they can't have The Masked Singer, that will be the biggest blow to the schedule (unless football doesn't happen). It is followed by a new season of Masterchef Junior, originally slated for this summer. I'm a little surprised they didn't try one of the new dramas after Masked, even though that did not work for Almost Family this past fall.
THURSDAYS
8:00 Thursday Night Football
Like all networks carrying the NFL, FOX is certainly hoping a season happens. Between that and Sunday, you can bet FOX will be actively working with the NFL to ensure games (with or without fans) happen.
FRIDAYS
8:00 WWE Smackdown
FOX has done okay with WWE Smackdown on Friday nights though it's been nothing special. I still wonder long term (post pandemic) if they will stick with this.
SATURDAYS
8:00 FOX Sports Saturday
SUNDAYS
7:00 NFL Overrun/The OT/Animated Encores
8:00 The Simpsons (32nd season)
8:30 Bless the Harts (2nd season)
9:00 Bob's Burgers (11th season)
9:30 Family Guy (18th season)
Sundays are dedicated to animated shows, which are all able to continue production and will have no problems airing new episodes throughout next season. In addition to the four airing in the fall - the three mainstays plus year two of Bless the Harts, there are three animated shows waiting on the bench including year two of Duncanville, the delayed The Great North and the new Housebroken. It seems likely that at least one hour of animated shows will air on another night at some point.
MIDSEASON: CALL ME KAT, THE GREAT NORTH, HOUSEBROKEN, 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Lone Star, Beat Shazam, Duncanville, Hell's Kitchen
FOX is holding on to some major scripted properties for midseason including 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Lone Star with hopes that they'll be able to get them on the air by perhaps January. They also have already ordered Call Me Kat starring Mayim Bialik to series. I would expect them to order more of their in limbo pilots if they can get made.
CANCELLED/ENDED: Almsot Family, Deputy, Empire, Flirty Dancing
FATE TBD: Last Man Standing, Lego Masters, The Moodys, Outmatched, Prodigal Son, The Resident
FOX is leaving a lot of shows' fates undetermined. Lego Masters has been all but officially renewed with reports of them planning for next winter/spring. Last Man Standing, Prodigal Son and The Resident seem likely to return while Outmatched is likely done. The Moodys could potentially air again at the holidays but I wouldn't count on it.
MONDAYS
8:00 LA's Finest (Network Premiere)
9:00 NEXT
Since it is unclear when live action scripted series will be able to film again, FOX is piecing together a schedule with some scripted series already in the can. They will bring LA's Finest, which has been airing as a Spectrum original, to broadcast TV. The show was originally developed for NBC and was a high profile pass in Spring 2018 before Spectrum picked it up. Season One will air on FOX in the fall while Season Two premieres on Spectrum next month. NeXt is a sci-fi drama that was picked up last year and this time and had been slated for a summer debut. It's not a great sign when you have to use a show you were going to burn-off in the summer in a prime fall slot, but it had all its episodes completed and that's a rarity.
TUESDAYS
8:00 Cosmos: Possible Worlds (2nd season)
9:00 FILTHY RICH
Tuesday also has a pieced together schedule. Cosmos: Possible Worlds is the follow-up to 2014's Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey. It was originally slated to air in March 2019 but got pushed back after sexual harassment allegations against host Neil deGrasse Tyson. The series aired on National Geographic Channel this spring. It is followed by Filthy Rich. Like NeXt, Filthy Rich was part of this year's slate of originals. It was originally targeted for last fall but pushed back due to schedule issues and never got on the air this spring. Now it gets an upgrade (if you want to call it that in this environment) to a fall slot.
WEDNESDAYS
8:00 The Masked Singer (4th edition)
9:00 Masterchef Junior (8th edition)
FOX is banking on being able to have a new edition of The Masked Singer even if it can't involve a live audience. It's the only show on the fall schedule that isn't actually filmed yet. They have plans to go back into production in August and hopefully things will be somewhat better by then. It seems hard to imagine them being able to do it remotely the way The Voice and American Idol have. If they can't have The Masked Singer, that will be the biggest blow to the schedule (unless football doesn't happen). It is followed by a new season of Masterchef Junior, originally slated for this summer. I'm a little surprised they didn't try one of the new dramas after Masked, even though that did not work for Almost Family this past fall.
THURSDAYS
8:00 Thursday Night Football
Like all networks carrying the NFL, FOX is certainly hoping a season happens. Between that and Sunday, you can bet FOX will be actively working with the NFL to ensure games (with or without fans) happen.
FRIDAYS
8:00 WWE Smackdown
FOX has done okay with WWE Smackdown on Friday nights though it's been nothing special. I still wonder long term (post pandemic) if they will stick with this.
SATURDAYS
8:00 FOX Sports Saturday
SUNDAYS
7:00 NFL Overrun/The OT/Animated Encores
8:00 The Simpsons (32nd season)
8:30 Bless the Harts (2nd season)
9:00 Bob's Burgers (11th season)
9:30 Family Guy (18th season)
Sundays are dedicated to animated shows, which are all able to continue production and will have no problems airing new episodes throughout next season. In addition to the four airing in the fall - the three mainstays plus year two of Bless the Harts, there are three animated shows waiting on the bench including year two of Duncanville, the delayed The Great North and the new Housebroken. It seems likely that at least one hour of animated shows will air on another night at some point.
MIDSEASON: CALL ME KAT, THE GREAT NORTH, HOUSEBROKEN, 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Lone Star, Beat Shazam, Duncanville, Hell's Kitchen
FOX is holding on to some major scripted properties for midseason including 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Lone Star with hopes that they'll be able to get them on the air by perhaps January. They also have already ordered Call Me Kat starring Mayim Bialik to series. I would expect them to order more of their in limbo pilots if they can get made.
CANCELLED/ENDED: Almsot Family, Deputy, Empire, Flirty Dancing
FATE TBD: Last Man Standing, Lego Masters, The Moodys, Outmatched, Prodigal Son, The Resident
FOX is leaving a lot of shows' fates undetermined. Lego Masters has been all but officially renewed with reports of them planning for next winter/spring. Last Man Standing, Prodigal Son and The Resident seem likely to return while Outmatched is likely done. The Moodys could potentially air again at the holidays but I wouldn't count on it.
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