LONESTAR
According to the FOX official Description: LONESTAR, a sophisticated and provocative drama set against the sprawling backdrop of big Texas oil, will premiere this fall. From Chris Keyser and Amy Lippman (“Party of Five”), writer Kyle Killen and directed by Marc Webb (“(500) Days of Summer”), the compelling series stars newcomer James Wolk as a charismatic and brilliant schemer who has entangled himself in a deep, complex web from which he can’t break free. He’s caught between two very different lives and two very different women.
According to the TV Addict: “A sophisticated and provocative drama set against the sprawling backdrop of big Texas oil” is totally code for primetime soap. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
RUNNING WILDE
According to the FOX official Description: Also debuting this fall is RUNNING WILDE, the new romantic comedy from “Arrested Development’s” Jim Vallely, Mitch Hurwitz and Will Arnett. Starring Arnett (“30 Rock”) and Keri Russell (“Waitress,” “Felicity”), the comedy centers on a lovable, but immature playboy (Arnett) trying desperately to win (or buy) the heart of his childhood sweetheart (Russell), the über-liberal humanitarian who got away.
According to the TV Addict: WILDely excited for Keri Russell and Will Arnett’s return to our living room on a weekly basis does not begin to describe it.
TERRA NOVA
According to the FOX official Description: TERRA NOVA, an epic family adventure 85 million years in the making, is the new event drama slated for midseason from executive producers Steven Spielberg (“Jurassic Park,” “The Pacific”), Peter Chernin, Brannon Braga (24, “Star Trek: Enterprise”) and David Fury (24, “Lost”). The action-adventure series follows an ordinary family on an extraordinary journey back in time to prehistoric Earth as a part of a massive expedition to save the human race.
According to the TV Addict: Thanks to Spielberg’s track record with television (see: SEAQUEST DSV, EARTH 2 and TAKEN) and that little dinosaur movie we may-or-may-not-have seen multiple times in theaters, our inner 12-year-old is already counting down until this premiere. Fingers crossed Brannon Braga doesn’t mess things up (see: STAR TREK ENTERPRISE)
RIDE-ALONG
According to the FOX official Description: The new drama scheduled for a midseason debut is RIDE-ALONG. From creator Shawn Ryan (“The Shield,” “The Unit”), the fast-paced series, shot on location in Chicago and starring Jason Clarke (“Public Enemies”), Jennifer Beals (LIE TO ME) and Delroy Lindo (“Kidnapped”), will take audiences on an unflinching and unpredictable ride through the streets of Chicago to navigate crime and corruption with the most respected – and notorious – cops in the city.
According to the TV Addict: Despite our general lack of enthusiasm when it comes to “unflinching” rides through crime-riddled suburban streets, we’re still kicking ourselves for missing the boat that was Ryan’s last series THE SHIELD and you can bet we won’t be making the same mistake twice.
MIXED SIGNALS
According to the FOX official Description: MIXED SIGNALS, scheduled for a spring premiere, is a new relationship comedy created by Bob Fisher (“Wedding Crashers”) about three longtime friends and their attempts to balance their committed relationships with their desire for freedom. The ensemble comedy stars Nelson Franklin (“I Love You, Man”), David Denman (“The Office”), Kris Marshall (HUMAN TARGET), Liza Lapira (“Dexter”) and Alexandra Breckenridge (FAMILY GUY) and reveals how friendships and romances enhance – and further complicate – the lives of men and the women who love them.
According to the TV Addict: There is nothing mixed about these signals. Spring premiere, coupled with a generic premise that practically screams FRIENDS clone, signals quick cancelation in our books. Oh, and the wannabe MODERN FAMILY promotional photo certainly isn’t helping the show’s cause.
RAISING HOPE
According to the FOX official Description: Premiering this fall is RAISING HOPE, the new family comedy from Emmy Award winner Greg Garcia (“My Name Is Earl”), starring Lucas Neff (“The Beast”), Martha Plimpton (“How To Make It In America”), Garret Dillahunt (“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) and Academy and Emmy Award winner Cloris Leachman (“Malcolm In The Middle”). The sweet, offbeat comedy follows Jimmy Chance (Neff), a well-meaning screw-up trying his best to raise his infant daughter with the help of the eccentric family who did a less-than-stellar job of raising him.
According to the TV Addict: With a cast that includes Martha Plimpton, Garret Dillahunt and Cloris Leachmen, let’s just say we’re hopeful that we enjoy this Greg Garcia series more than his last one.
BOB’S BURGERS
According to the FOX official Description: Joining the Sunday ANIMATION DOMINATION lineup in midseason is BOB’S BURGERS, a new animated comedy series from creator Loren Bouchard (“Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist”) about a man, his family and their floundering burger joint. Despite the greasy counters, lousy location and occasionally spotty service, Bob and his lovable and quirky family are convinced their burgers are their ticket to success.
According to the TV Addict: After just recently falling in love with HBO’s LIFE AND TIMES OF TIM, it’s nice to see FOX order another helping of animation from someone other than Seth MacFarlane. 