MIDSEASON SHOW(S) I’LL BE WATCHING
Shilo: I’ll probably check out Making History, which seems like the type of fun, low-concept comedy that FOX knows how to make. Otherwise, I’ll just be sticking with Bob’s Burgers, Son of Zorn, and The Last Man on Earth.
Craig: As for new midseason shows? I’ll probably check out Making History, and I’m curious to see the new shows – admittedly, I haven’t seen the screeners yet.
WHAT FOX NEEDS GOING FORWARD
Craig: If FOX picks up Black Lightning, they definitely shouldn’t go for another comic book show beyond that, but I keep hoping the Marvel-FOX deal would or could lead to a straight-up X-Men TV series which could be bigger than any other comic book project to hit from Marvel or DC on any network.
But aside from my nerdy comic book fan “wants,” I’d say they need more half hour shows. It’s a problem with any network that there’s often mediocrity, but with the right half-hour, FOX could really shine and do well.
Shilo: Depth. Right now, FOX is primarily Empire and older comedies, so if they have any shot of rebuilding, they’re going to have to find pieces to build around. They also need to figure out what exactly their Tuesdays could and should be because it’s a night they’ve struggled with over the past few seasons and having a black hole this early in the week doesn’t help the remaining days in your schedule whatsoever. Whatever their buzziest project is for next season might need to go on Tuesdays in the fall in order to give the night the pulse it needs and further round out their schedule.
WHAT FOX DOESN’T NEED GOING FORWARD
Craig: So much of the FOX programming that does well seems to be aging, and some of its younger shows that get renewed when they don’t deserve it (Scream Queens and Sleepy Hollow being two examples). So, I guess what I’d say is to stop being so complacent, because eventually (like this season), there could be disaster.
Shilo: Impatience. NBC didn’t become the #1 network right now overnight; they had to methodically build themselves back up and make the type of decisions in development and scheduling to put themselves in the best position going forward. Further refining their comedy brand, finding a few more durable dramas, and snagging another zeitgeist-y show in the vein of Empire would go a long way toward getting FOX back into the ratings conversation, but that takes time and a little luck, neither of which can be forced or generate on their own. As long as they make smart decisions in the trenches and keep their heads down, things will cycle back around as they always do and they’ll end up back on top of the network heap.
