Fox unveiled a new fall schedule with four new comedies, four new dramas Monday as part of the network’s annual upfront rituals in New York. It also announced the final season of “American Idol” and the establishment of its own live musical (of “Grease”), on top of their planned revival of “The X-Files.”
Plus there is the previously announced “comedy-horror” anthology series from Ryan Murphy of “Glee” and “American Horror Story” about murders at a sorority house with a cast that includes Emma Roberts, Jamie Lee Curtis, Lea Michele, Abigail Breslin, Nasim Pedrad, Keke Palmer, Niece Nash, Nick Jonas and Ariana Grande, among others. It debuts in the fall.
The announcement of the final season for “American Idol,” once the network’s bread and butter, against which no networks could compete, marks a stark shift in the TV landscape. The same judges of Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick will be on board when the 15th and last season starts in January.
The new comedies are:
- “Grandfathered,” starring John Stamos as a bachelor restaurant owner who learns he’s a father and a grandfather. Co-stars Josh Peck, Paget Brewster, Christina Milian, Kelly Jenrette and Ravi Patel. Coming in fall.
- “The Grinder” with Rob Lowe as a TV lawyer whose tries to be part of his family law business after the show is canceled. legal series ends, trying to join the family law firm in Boise with his brother, played by Fred Savage. William DeVane is their dad. The cast also includes Mary Elizabeth Ellis. Fall.
- “The Guide to Surviving Life” an ensemble comedy about people trying to survive their various problems features Jack Cutmore-Sxott, Charlie Saston, Meaghan Rath, James Earl, Justin Bartha and Maureen Sebastian. Mid-season.
- “Bordertown” a new animated comedy about families on the U.S.-Mexico border, with the voices of Hank Azaria, Nicholas Gonzalex, Alex Borstein, Missi Pile and Judah Friedlander. Midseason.
The dramas are:
- “Minority Report,” based on the Spielberg film, about a futurisitic Washington in which law enforcement corner criminals before their crimes are committed. Instead of Tom Cruise, the cast has Meagan Good, Stark Sands, Wilmer Valderrama, Daniel London and Laura Reagan. Fall.
- “Rosewood,” stars Moris Chestnut as a private pathologist in Miami. From the creator of “Psych,” the series also features Jaina Lee Ortiz, Gabrielle Dennis, Anna Konkle and Maggie Elizabeth Jones.Fall.
- “The Frankenstein Code” an update of the Mary Shelley tale in which aging sheriff played briefly by Philip Baker Hall is remade into a younger self played by Rob Kazinsky. It’s from “24” and “Homeland” producer Howard Gordon and features Dilshad Vadsaria, Adhir Kaylan, Tim DeKay and Ciara Bravo. Midseason.
- “Lucifer” the latest comic book adaptation is from DC Entertainment with Tom Ellis as the prince of darkness turned L.A. club owner, who starts working with police following a murder outside his club. A Jerry Bruckheimer production, it also stars Lauren German, Rachael Harris and DB Woodside. Midseason
The six-episode reboot of “The X-Files” with David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reviving their roles is set for January.
Staying on the roster nest year are “Gotham,” “Empire” “Bones,” “New Girl,” “Masterchef,” “Masterchef Junior” “World’s Funniest” “Bob’s Burgers,” “The Simpsons” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Family Guy,” “The Last Man on Earth,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” “So You Think You Can Dance,” “World’s Funniest,” and the yet to debut “Boom!,” “Bullseye” and “Home Free.”
Gone from the schedule are “The Mindy Project,” “Backstrom,” “Weird Loners,” “The Following,” “Mulaney” and “Utopia.”