Fox Lines Up Midseason Premieres
American Idol, 24
American Idol and 24 will return just days apart in January, Fox announced Tuesday in unveiling its midseason schedule.
Idol's ninth season — the first with Ellen DeGeneres taking over Paula Abdul's seat at the judging table — will premiere Tuesday, Jan. 12 and Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 8/7c. Wednesday's first Idol episode will be followed by the series premiere of the new reality show Our Little Genius. The quiz show will then move to Tuesdays at 9/8c the following week.
As previously announced, 24 will return for a two-night premiere on Sunday, Jan. 17 at 9/8c and Monday, Jan. 18 at 8/7c before it replaces Lie to Me at Mondays at 9/8c for the rest of its run. However, Fox announced it has picked up the lie-detecting drama for the rest of its second season and the show will return sometime in the spring.
Watch full episodes of Lie to Me
Lie to Me isn't the only show fans will have to part with, at least temporarily. Freshman hit Glee will take a four-month-long vacation following the show's Dec. 9 winter finale. The musical dramedy will move to Tuesdays at 9/8c when it returns April 13. Glee's extended break is at least partly due to its shooting schedule, which won't resume until January.
Fox will also use January to close up shop on the recently canceled Joss Whedon series Dollhouse. Dollhouse's final new episodes will begin Friday, Jan. 8 at 9/8c before the series finale on Jan. 22. Instead of 'Til Death, Dollhouse will air encore airings of Bones. However, the Brad Garrett comedy will come back sometime in the spring. After Dollhouse's final bow, the new season of Kitchen Nightmares will take over on Jan. 29 at 9/8c following House encores at 8/7c.
Watch full episodes of Dollhouse
Fox has three new scripted series premiering in early 2010. Human Target will debut first, with a preview airing on Sunday, Jan. 17 at 8/7c before the series' official premiere Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 9/8c following Idol.
In February, Fox will bench ratings struggling sophomore drama Fringe for seven weeks following its Feb. 4 winter finale. New series Past Life will take over Fringe's Thursday 9/8c timeslot the week after it's two-hour series premiere, Thursday, Feb. 11 at 8/7c. Fringe will return Thursday, April 1 at it's regular time.
Watch full episodes of Fringe
New family comedy Sons of Tucson will premiere Sunday, March 14 at 8:30/7:30c. The live-action comedy will will step in for The Cleveland Show, which will move to American Dad's 9:30/8:30 spot. American Dad is set to return at a later date. The animation block's longest running staple, The Simpsons will celebrate its 450th episode with a very special episode Sunday, Jan. 10 at 8/7c, followed by "The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special: in 3-D! on Ice!" at 8:30/7:30c.
Are you excited for Fox's new shows and the new seasons of American Idol and 24? Will you miss Glee and Lie to Me?