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[07/15/04 - 12:00 AM]
FOX Outlines Fall Launch Schedule, Other News
By The Futon Critic Staff (TFC)

LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- FOX is the latest broadcast network to outline its fall 2004 rollout plans.

The news, along with several other items, was announced at FOX's session of the TCA's summer press tour:

FOX CONTINUES TO ROLL OUT THE 2004-2005 SEASON

FOX has set additional premiere dates for the continued roll-out of its first year-round schedule, it was announced today by Gail Berman, President, Entertainment, FOX Broadcasting Company.

Chronologically, the launch dates are:

THE COMPLEX: MALIBU Monday, August 30 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) (Two-hour series premiere)

NORTH SHORE Monday, September 6 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT)

THAT '70s SHOW Wednesday, September 8 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT)

QUINTUPLETS Wednesday, September 8 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT)

THE BERNIE MAC SHOW Wednesday, September 8 (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT)

METHOD & RED Wednesday, September 8 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT)

COPS Saturday, September 11 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) and (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT)

AMERICA'S MOST WANTED: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK Saturday, September 11 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)

MADtv Saturday, September 18 (11:00 PM-MIDNIGHT ET/PT)

THE SWAN 2 Monday, October 25 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) (Two-hour season premiere)

THE O.C. Thursday, November 4 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT)

TRU CALLING Thursday, November 4 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)

KING OF THE HILL Sunday, November 7 (7:00-7:30 PM ET/PT)

MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE Sunday, November 7 (7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT)

THE SIMPSONS Sunday, November 7 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) (Annual TREEHOUSE OF HORROR Halloween special)

THE PARTNER Sunday, November 7 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) (Series premiere)

ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT Sunday, November 7 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT)

THE SIMPSONS Sunday, November 14 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT)

HOUSE Tuesday, November 16 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) (Series premiere)

[EDITOR'S NOTE #1: NORTH SHORE made its series debut on Monday, June 14 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). The program will be pre-empted for three weeks, beginning Monday, August 16, and will return with original episodes on Monday, September 6 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).]

[EDITOR'S NOTE #2: QUINTUPLETS made its series debut on Wednesday, June 16 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT). The program will be pre-empted for four weeks, beginning Wednesday, August 11, and will return with original episodes on Wednesday, September 8 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT).]

[EDITOR'S NOTE #3: METHOD & RED made its series debut on Wednesday, June 16 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT). The program will be pre-empted for five weeks, beginning Wednesday, August 4, and will return with original episodes on Wednesday, September 8 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT).]

[EDITOR'S NOTE #4: THE SIMPSONS' official season premiere is Sunday, November 14 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT). However, the annual SIMPSONS TREEHOUSE OF HORROR Halloween special is all-new as well, airing Sunday, November 7 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT).]

"MADtv" LAUGHS INTO TRIUMPHANT 10TH SEASON WHEN IT PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 18, ON FOX

Ever since "MADtv" debuted on FOX in October 1995, its refreshing, politically incorrect humor and dead-on parodies have made the Emmy-nominated sketch comedy a Saturday night staple. The decade of madness carries on when the celebratory 10th season premieres Saturday, September 18 (11:00-Midnight ET/PT) on FOX.

For the past nine seasons and over 200 televised episodes, MADtv has proven to be an audience favorite on Saturday nights. Season-to-date, MADtv is the No. 1 regularly scheduled late-night program among Teens, and the No. 2 regularly scheduled late-night program among Adults 18-34.

MADtv, well-known for its signature characters, celebrity impersonations, movie and television parodies, music video spoofs, and pop-culture commentaries, welcomes returning cast members Ike Barinholtz, Frank Caliendo, Daniele Gaither, Keegan-Michael Key, Bobby Lee, Michael McDonald, Nicole Parker, Ron Pederson, Jordan Peele, Aries Spears, Paul Vogt and Stephnie Weir.

Season nine boasted guest appearances by Nicole Richie, Cedric the Entertainer, Fred Willard, Elisha Cuthbert, Bill O'Reilly, David Alan Grier, Frankie Muniz, Don Cheadle, Tony Hawk, David Arquette and THE OC cast members Benjamin McKenzie, Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson.

MADtv's cast has created a variety of popular characters and infamous impersonations such as McDonald's STUART and MARVIN TIKKVAH; Spears' DOLLAR BILL MONTGOMERY and MIKE TYSON; Weir's DOT and ANGELA; Lee's KIM JONG IL and CONNIE CHUNG; Caliendo's JOHN MADDEN and JAY LENO; Pederson's CLAY AIKEN and Vogt's MRS. GARRETT.

MADtv is a production of QDe. The executive producers are David Salzman, Quincy Jones and Dick Blasucci.

A CHANCE AT SUPERSTARDOM AS "AMERICAN IDOL" AUDITIONS BEGIN IN CLEVELAND ON AUGUST 4

Audition Age Requirement Expanded to 16-28 Washington, DC, Orlando, St. Louis, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Anchorage and San Francisco Also to Hold Auditions

Do you have what it takes to become the next singing sensation? Have you always thought you had the talent and just needed the right opportunity to show the world your singing ability? AMERICAN IDOL is offering a rare opportunity to fulfill your dreams, become a household name, perform before millions of viewers and be awarded a major recording contract. Are you the next Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard or Fantasia Barrino? Are you America's undiscovered talent? Will you blow Simon, Paula and Randy away? The quest to become the next AMERICAN IDOL starts now - so warm up your vocal chords and come out to the nearest audition site.

The No. 1 show of last season is coming to a city near you. Auditions for the fourth edition of the hit FOX series AMERICAN IDOL are set to start in Cleveland, OH, on Wednesday, August 4, 2004 at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Participants can start lining up AFTER 6:00 AM on August 3.

AMERICAN IDOL has expanded the age range of contestants; now participants must be between the ages of 16 and 28 to audition.

Auditions will continue in the following cities:

Washington, DC - August 18
Orlando - August 26
St. Louis - date TBA
New Orleans - August 31
Las Vegas - September 12
Anchorage - September 28
San Francisco - October 5

Exact locations for each city will be announced shortly. Participants will vie for a spot on AMERICAN IDOL and a chance at the title and a major recording contract. The next season of AMERICAN IDOL will begin in January 2005.

CLEVELAND AUDITIONS

WHO: Men and women 16 to 28 years old on August 4, 2004, and eligible to work in the United States. Restrictions apply - please see idolonfox.com for specifics.

WHEN: AUGUST 4, 2004

WHERE: CLEVELAND BROWNS STADIUM
100 Alfred Lerner Way

LINE UP: Auditioners can begin lining up at 6:00 AM on August 3, 2004

Additional information, forms and requirements are available at idolonfox.com. All press requests should be e-mailed to idolpr@fox.com.

Five-time Emmy Award-nominee AMERICAN IDOL was created by Simon Fuller of 19TV and developed by FremantleMedia. Executive producers are Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe for 19TV and Cecile Frot-Coutaz and Ken Warwick for FremantleMedia North America. 19 also manages such leading musical artists as Annie Lennox, Will Young, Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard and Fantasia Barrino. FremantleMedia North America is one of America's foremost producers of reality-based entertainment programming for television, and has produced the IDOL format in more than 20 countries worldwide.

POPEYE RETURNS TO HIS SEAFARIN' WAYS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON FOR A BRAND-NEW SPECIAL "POPEYE'S VOYAGE: THE QUEST FOR PAPPY" SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19, ON FOX

Special was Co-Written and Executive-Produced by Paul Reiser ("Mad About You") 3-D, CGI Animation Will Update Popeye's Look Special Features a Brand-New Score and Updated Theme Song by Mark Mothersbaugh (DEVO

The new 3-D, CGI-animated holiday special, POPEYE'S VOYAGE: THE QUEST FOR PAPPY, will air Sunday, December 19 (7:00-7:30 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

In POPEYE'S VOYAGE: THE QUEST FOR PAPPY, the world's favorite spinach-slinging sailor takes to the high seas in a daring trip to rescue the father who abandoned him as a child. Wracked by nightmares that his long-gone PAPPY desperately needs him, POPEYE sets sail for the Sea of Mystery with his, if not unlikely, then certainly unseaworthy, crew: the loutish BLUTO, the lovelorn OLIVE OYL, the fearless SWEE'PEA and hamburger-loving stowaway, WIMPY. Unaware of the dangers that lie ahead, Popeye bravely sets out to reunite his family.

As the voyage progresses toward the Sea of Mystery, the SEA HAG's domain, strange and scary things begin to happen. Mists, sirens and serpents attack the intrepid seafarers, but Popeye comes to their rescue.

POPEYE'S VOYAGE: THE QUEST FOR PAPPY stars acclaimed voice actor Billy West (M&M's Red M&M, Elmer Fudd in "Looney Tunes: Back In Action," "Ren & Stimpy") as the world-famous sailor man and Academy Award� winner Kathy Bates ("Misery," "About Schmidt") as Popeye's notorious nemesis, the villainous Sea Hag/Siren. The special was co-written by actor, comedian and lifelong Popeye fan Paul Reiser ("Mad About You") and Jim Hardison. Additionally, Mark Mothersbaugh, front man of the legendary new wave band DEVO, and more recently an accomplished film and television composer whose credits include "Pee Wee's Playhouse," "Rugrats" and "The Royal Tenenbaums," scored the all-new special and has produced a unique, updated version of the classic "Popeye the Sailor Man" theme song.

POPEYE'S VOYAGE: THE QUEST FOR PAPPY is a King Features Syndicate and Mainframe Entertainment production in association with Nuance Productions. Paul Reiser, along with Frank Caruso and Rick Karo, King Features Syndicate, serve as executive producers.

FOX MULTIPLIES THE FUN AND PICKS UP "QUINTUPLETS" FOR AN ENTIRE SEASON

FOX has picked up a full season of the new hit comedy QUINTUPLETS, it was announced today by Gail Berman, President, Entertainment for the Fox Broadcasting Co. This will bring the full season order to 22 episodes. QUINTUPLETS airs Wednesdays (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

QUINTUPLETS revolves around Bob Chase (Andy Richter) and his wife Carol Chase (Rebecca Creskoff), who are parents of teenage quintuplet children who couldn't be more different in appearance and personality.

QUINTUPLETS continues to dominate its time period among Adults 18-49, Adults 18-34, Adults 25-54, Teens and all key male and female measures. It has also held or exceeded its THAT '70s SHOW lead-in across key demographics. QUINTUPLETS ranks as the No. 2 scripted series of the new season.

"For the past five seasons, no series that we have placed behind THAT '70s SHOW has equaled or surpassed that series' ratings each week until QUINTUPLETS," Berman said. "Everything about the two series is compatible and we're looking forward to presenting them as a successful comedy block come fall."

QUINTUPLETS comes from Imagine Television and 20th Century Fox Television. The series was created and executive-produced by Mark Reisman, and David Nevins serves as an executive producer.

"THE SIMPSONS" STARTING LINE-UP OF GUEST VOICES THIS SEASON INCLUDES ALL-STAR ATHLETES WARREN SAPP, YAO MING, LEBRON JAMES AND MICHELLE KWAN; TV/FILM STARS RAY ROMANO, KIM CATRALL, JAMES CAAN AND JOE MANTEGNA; AND RAPPER 50 CENT

Original Episode to Air Following Superbowl XXXIX

Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Warren Sapp; NBA All-Stars Yao Ming and LeBron James; Olympic figure-skating medalist Michelle Kwan; TV/film stars Ray Romano, Kim Catrall, James Caan and Joe Mantegna; rapper 50 Cent; famed architect Frank Gehry; and author Thomas Pynchon are among the upcoming guest voices on THE SIMPSONS airing Sundays (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Entering its 16th season, THE SIMPSONS has become the longest-running primetime scripted series on television. THE SIMPSONS is also the most honored animated series in television history, having garnered 18 Emmys, a Peabody and numerous other accolades.

If you thought last year's Super Bowl half-time extravaganza was wild, see what happens when Homer is running the show! In THE SIMPSONS post-Super Bowl XXXIX episode, "Homer and Ned's Hail Mary Pass" airing Sunday, Feb. 6, after Homer inadvertently performs a wild crowd-pleasing dance at a local carnival, he is hired by several prolific sports figures including James, Sapp, Ming and Kwan, guest-starring as themselves, to choreograph their victory dances. After his dances prove successful, Homer is tapped to choreograph the Super Bowl halftime show. Panicked the night before the event, Homer enlists the help of his neighbor, Ned Flanders, and together they put on a non-violent, deeply meaningful halftime show that America chastises for its blatant display of decency.

Other upcoming guest voices include Romano as Homer's new best friend, Ray Magini; Catrall as Marge's former high school pal; journalist Chloe Talbot; rapper 50 Cent; architect Gehry; and author Pynchon as themselves, and Mantegna reprises his role as mob boss Fat Tony.

THE SIMPSONS is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening and Al Jean are the executive producers. Film Roman is the animation house.

"THE COMPLEX: MALIBU" TO PREMIERE WITH TWO-HOUR EPISODE MONDAY, AUGUST 30, ON FOX

Sears is Sponsor of Competitive Home-Improvement Series Based on Australia's Most Successful Show Ever

From the creators of AMERICAN IDOL comes a new kind of makeover show. THE COMPLEX: MALIBU moves real-life couples into a cliffside apartment building in Southern California's coastal enclave of the rich and famous, and puts their construction, interior design and, most importantly, their relationship skills to the test with the chance to win a large cash prize. Home renovation under normal circumstances can be stressful enough to tear a relationship apart, but when couples are forced to keep within a tight budget and faced with strict deadlines and competitive neighbors, the stakes are even higher. Following a special two-hour premiere on Monday, August 30 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX, the series will air in its regular timeslot on Mondays (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) beginning Monday, September 6.

Nationwide retailer Sears, a sponsor of THE COMPLEX: MALIBU, has partnered with FOX and FremantleMedia in this unscripted series that gives contestants a budget to renovate their unit by a specified date.

Eight couples will compete for the opportunity to restore and redecorate one of four units. Under tight deadlines, the couples will battle each other for control of the units, while trying to add the most value to each of the rooms. A panel of real estate professionals - an interior designer, a real estate agent and an architect - will rank the rooms from best to worst and help decide the couples' fate: who stays and who goes. The renovated units will be sold at public auction, and the couple whose unit nets the highest-percentage profit will receive the profits from ALL of the units.

The eight couples participating in the competition are:

Barney (67) and Rose (64) from Hauppauge, NY
Brad (37) and Lew (39) from Phoenix, AZ
Carl (30) and Kim (30) from Las Vegas, NV
Dave (26) and Ana (27) from New York, NY
Erik (31) and Jayna (28) from Dallas, TX
Steve (28) and Nicole (27) from Chicago, IL
Sanyika (24) and Monique (26) from Washington, DC
Scott (32) and Sam (31) from Canton, GA

THE COMPLEX: MALIBU is based on the hit Australian show, "The Block," now in its second season for Channel Nine in Australia. The first season finale last August drew the highest rating of any show in that country in 15 years.

Sears, FOX and FremantleMedia will support the show through a multi-faceted marketing program, including advertising, point-of-sale and on-line promotions, public relations and product integration. The partnership provides Sears with an opportunity to reinforce that Sears is a fun place to shop and to showcase relevant and innovative merchandise. Terms of the partnership were not disclosed.

THE COMPLEX: MALIBU is produced by FremantleMedia North America, Inc. Ted Haimes ("Married By America," "Temptation Island," "The History of Rock 'n' Roll") is executive producer.





  [july 2004]  
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· AMERICA'S MOST WANTED (LIFETIME)
· ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT (NETFLIX)
· BERNIE MAC SHOW, THE (FOX)
· COMPLEX, THE: MALIBU (FOX)
· COPS (FOX NATION)
· HOUSE (FOX)
· KING OF THE HILL (HULU)
· MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE (FOX)
· MARRIED BY AMERICA (FOX)
· METHOD & RED (FOX)
· NORTH SHORE (FOX)
· OC, THE (FOX)
· PARTNER, THE (FOX)
· QUINTUPLETS (FOX)
· REN & STIMPY ADULT PARTY CARTOON (SPIKE TV)
· SIMPSONS, THE (FOX)
· SWAN, THE (FOX)
· TEMPTATION ISLAND (USA)
· THAT '70S SHOW (FOX)
· TRU CALLING (FOX)





[07/11/25 - 12:45 PM]
ABC Concludes September to May Season with Top Five Shows Among Adults 18-49 Including "High Potential," "Abbott Elementary," "The Rookie," "Shifting Gears" and "9-1-1"
Continuing to lead among broadcast series, ABC's "High Potential" stood as the No. 1 new drama among Total Viewers (16.41 million) and No. 1 new show among Adults 18-49 (3.85 rating).

[07/11/25 - 11:28 AM]
"Big Brother: Summer of Mystery" Premiere Up +10% from Last Summer
Last night, season 27 premiered to nearly 3 million viewers.

[07/11/25 - 10:01 AM]
FX's "Alien: Earth" Takes Fandom to New Heights with Premium Exclusive Content Including a Companion Podcast and Innovative Immersive Experiences
"Alien: Earth," a new drama series from Noah Hawley inspired by the acclaimed feature film franchise, will premiere on Tuesday, August 12.

[07/11/25 - 10:01 AM]
CBS Unveils Fall Primetime Premiere Dates for the 2025-2026 Season
Highlights include an early return for "Watson" on Monday, October 13 in place of the previously announced "FBI" spin-off "CIA."

[07/11/25 - 10:00 AM]
The "Outlander" Universe Expands in Hall H, as Starz Returns to San Diego Comic-Con
Look for can't miss panels for "Outlander" and "Outlander: Blood of my Blood" in Hall H on Friday, July 25 and an in-depth preview of the newest saga in the Spartacus franchise, "Spartacus: House of Ashur" on Saturday, July 26 in the Indigo Ballroom.

[07/11/25 - 10:00 AM]
Adult Swim Returns to San Diego Comic-Con with "Pirate Purrrty on the Green," Must-See Panel Events, and Exclusive First Looks and Giveaways
Adult Swim will bring its famed pirate ship outside the San Diego Convention Center (5th Avenue Landing and Convention Way), this time with a feline twist!

[07/11/25 - 09:01 AM]
HBO Max to Host Fan Experiences for Upcoming Seasons of "Peacemaker" and "It: Welcome to Derry" in San Diego
The festivities include a panel in Hall H, where showrunner/writer/director and Co-Head of DC Studios James Gunn and the cast of "Peacemaker" will share new details about the upcoming season and premiere the global trailer for season two.

[07/11/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Billy Joel: And So It Goes" - Official Trailer - HBO Max
There's always a message in the music.

[07/11/25 - 06:00 AM]
"Love Island (UK)" 10th Anniversary Special Date Announcement
The special premieres in the US on Friday, July 11.

[07/11/25 - 02:01 AM]
Netflix Will Release "Death Inc." Seasons 1, 2 and 3
The series is a comedy centered around a family-run funeral home and the relationships between the eccentric characters who inhabit it.

[07/11/25 - 12:01 AM]
"Too Hot to Handle: Italy" Is Coming on July 18 Only on Netflix
A special guest will guide the contestants in the first Italian edition of the reality show.

[07/10/25 - 07:01 PM]
Video: "The Winning Try" - Official Trailer - Netflix
After his career fell apart, a disgraced rugby star finds purpose coaching his old school's team - driving them and himself toward growth and redemption.

[07/10/25 - 07:01 PM]
Video: "The Nice Guy" - Teaser Trailer #3 - Disney+
He wants out for good. But the past comes with strings.

[07/10/25 - 05:03 PM]
Meagan Good Returns to Lifetime to Executive Produce and Star in the Alluring New Thriller "I'll Never Let You Go" Alongside Antonio Cupo and Thomas Cadrot, Premiering August 16 on Lifetime
Good stars as Emily Westover, a poised and successful art gallery director whose life takes a dark turn after a brief, impulsive affair with a magnetic Italian artist, Carlo (Cupo).

[07/10/25 - 12:01 PM]
"Virgin River" Is Returning for Season 8
"On behalf of myself and the whole 'Virgin River' family, we're eternally grateful to Netflix and to the fans for allowing us to continue on this journey with these beloved characters," said showrunner Patrick Sean Smith.