CRAIG’S PREDICTIONS: 8:00 Showtime at the Apollo; 9:00 Empire
SHILO’S PREDICTIONS: 8:00 The Resident; 9:00 Empire
ACTUAL SCHEDULE: 8:00 Empire; 9:00 Star
CRAIG: FOX is certainly betting on Star, putting it on in the Fall and as the lead-out for Empire. Should we start placing bets now on whether or not there will be a crossover for November sweeps?
Kidding aside, Empire hasn’t been as big of a ratings juggernaut lately, and the earlier hour might bring people back and get folks interested in Star at the same time. Seems like a win-win, and I’m sure producer Lee Daniels is happy with the arrangement.
SHILO: Is it weird that one of the bigger surprises of upfronts for me was that Empire moved to 8:00? I really didn’t think that was going to happen, as FOX has had the opportunity to move it and use it on something else and never seemed interested in the idea. I think it’s a good idea, though; Empire was down around 40% this year, so its days as one of the biggest dramas on broadcast might be numbered. Therefore, if FOX is going to use it as a lead-in, next season would be the time to do it and it’s helpful that they pushed quasi-spinoff Star to fall. The night should be a pretty nice success for FOX, assuming Empire can slow the bleeding next season, but what I’m most curious about is what the network does midseason now that Empire sub Star isn’t in the running. Maybe this is when Showtime at the Apollo pops up?
