By Christina Espinoza / Asst. Inscape Editor
By Christina Espinoza / Asst. Inscape Editor
Considering the network’s ownership by global media mogul Rupert Murdoch, one might agree that Fox is the perfect name for the broadcast network. But considering some new TV shows in Fox’s new fall lineup this season, one might also agree the network has been less than crafty.
The numbers are in for Fox’s new fall lineup and being only five weeks into the season, some new TV shows are struggling with ratings as audiences change their channel.
This fall, Fox released three new TV shows but as one new show plummets the broadcast network is not entirely worried because the fame of another may save the day.
While the new animated family comedy, “The Cleveland Show” (Sundays at 8:30 p.m.), is simple entertainment and is doing ok with audiences, the new comedy-drama-musical, “Glee” (Wednesdays at 9 p.m.), has given viewers something to sing about.
Fox’s new show “Brothers,” which Fox has actually taken off air and plans to bring back in 2010, would be better off being cancelled as it seems to only offer bad acting, bad jokes and bad taste.
The pilot for “Brothers” gave the show no hope for flight so it’s no surprise that the last five weeks have proven to keep the show grounded indefinitely.
Starring former NFL player, Michael Strahan and with guest appearances thus far from Snoop Dogg and Kim Kardashian, “Brothers” could have potentially been a home run for Fox if only the jokes were funny and it had a solid story line.
Although “Brothers” is taking a nose-dive, Fox may be hoping that “Glee” will pick up the slack.
Even though some may have doubted their interest in a TV show about a high school glee club, filled with frequent musical numbers outlined in comedy and drama, “Glee” has proven to be truly funny and very entertaining for viewers.
First premiering in spring, “Glee” has returned to Fox this fall and is now airing weekly due to its popular demand. How popular? The fall premiere had 7.3 million viewers tuned in.
Starring mostly unknown actors, “Glee” was officially given a full-season pick-up by Fox as the network tries to continue targeting their key “American Idol” audience.
The success of “Glee” may be due in part to its uniqueness and its clever premiere scheduling when it aired just after the “American Idol” finale in May.
Still, while “Glee” may be topping the charts now, it could potentially lose viewer interest considering the risk involved in creating a TV show centered on a musical production type theme.
To ensure ratings, Fox scheduled some strong returning series.
Fox’s drama, “House” certainly does its part in providing Fox with ratings as devoted viewers tune in every Monday night at 8 p.m.
“House” has repeatedly won over other broadcasting networks with top viewer ratings and remains to climb the charts as the fall season continues.
Also the classic animated family comedy, “The Simpsons” returned this fall as the show celebrates twenty years on television.
Fox knows “The Simpsons” has an ocean of dedicated fans that continue to grow as audiences are captured weekly with hilarious new episodes (Sundays at 8 p.m.).
Honorable mentions should also go to some other popular returning Fox TV shows, such as “Family Guy” (Sundays at 9 p.m.), “America’s Most Wanted” (Saturdays at 9 p.m.) and of course “So You Think You Can Dance” (Tuesdays at 8 p.m.).
With their fall lineup packed with some good, some bad and some ugly TV shows, Fox Television Network proves once again how clever they can be at providing the right kind of entertainment for an audience in need.
