TV Patrol: FOX, MacFarlane and The Flintstones

Breaking News: We have just learned that former TV stars Fred and Wilma Flintstone have cut a deal with FOX for a reality show to air in the fall of 2013. The show, aptly called The Flintstones, will follow the family and their neighbors Barney and Betty Rubble as they continue their lives in the town of Bedrock. The show will be produced by none other than Seth MacFarlane who has had great success at FOX. Will he do justice to this beloved American family? Or will he show them warts and all, something that we may not want to see or even think is funny?

FOX also released it’s new Fall Schedules for the 2011-2012 season. Entertainment Chairman Peter Rice said “Nothing impacts culture the way a television show does and here at FOX, we have the most talked about, most followed, most creative shows that build connections between viewers and brands. From razor-sharp comedies to epic dramas, to a massive talent competition series, I think we have the goods to continue to be pop culture’s most vibrant platform, as well as the top network.”

We shall see.

The biggest fuss is about The X-Factor and the return of Simon Cowell. He’s brought Paula Abdul back and America is blissfully happy. Antonio “LA” Reid and Cheryl Cole complete the judges table. Now we just need to see what’s out there that’s worth a $5 million dollar music contract with Syco/Sony.

Steven Spielberg has his hands in Terra Nova. It’s all about a family that goes back to prehistoric times to save the human race. They join a colony that is already there and soon find out that dinosaurs are the least of their problems. Humans are assholes, no matter where in history they are sent.

It is what it is. Alcatraz is a suspense thriller from Lost’s J.J. Abrams. Det. Rebecca Madsen investigates a horrendous murder and the suspects fingerprints are those of a dead inmate from Alcatraz. The involvement of a Federal agent and an Alcatraz expert turns up proof that this inmate is indeed alive and has not aged at all. He is now on a killing spree. This is only the beginning. Is there a smoke monster? We can only hope. (mid-season)

The Finder does just what the title says. He finds things. Walter is a veteran of the Iraq War who got too close to an explosive device. When he woke up from his coma, he had an unusual ability. He was able to find just about anything. Since leaving the military he has settled down in Key West. His reputation as a discreet professional who can unearth anything and anyone has been passed on to generals, politicians and other powerful figures. Let’s see if he can find anyone to watch this show. (mid-season)

New Girl is a sitcom about a naive, dorky 20-something girl moving in with 3 guys. One guy’s a jock, one thinks he’s God’s gift to women and the other is sane. Her best friend is a model with street smarts and the five of them all live happily ever after.

I Hate My Teenage Daughter is not an episode of Dr. Phil. It’s a new sitcom about two best friends who are now single moms with spoiled, mean girl daughters. They are the same kind of girls that used to pick on them when they were in high school and now they have to try and “fix” them. I wonder if Jaime Pressly is wearing an ankle bracelet?

FOX loves it’s Sunday night cartoons animated shows and Allen Gregory is one of their newest treasures. Allen Gregory pretentiously thinks he is the most intelligent, sophisticated, worldly, artistic and romantic 7 year old there is. These are characteristics he inherited from his  father Richard. Jeremy (Richard’s life partner) and Julie (Allen’s adopted sister) also live with them. His biggest concern is that he will no longer be home schooled and will begin elementary school with kids his own age. At least there are no talking babies or animals.

This cartoon animated show is based on the 2004 movie Napoleon Dynamite. The original cast is lending their voices for the show. If you are unfamiliar with the movie, like me, it follows “the continuing adventures of America’s most awesome awkward teenager and his quirky family and friends as they struggle to navigate small-town life in rural Idaho”. This could be anywhere, right? (mid-season show)

Last, but not least, Kiefer Sutherland is back. Touch is nothing like his old show,24. Not even close, so if that’s what you are looking for, you will be disappointed. Touch is about all these people who have no connection to each other but those whose lives are destined to alter and impact each other. At the center is Martin (Kiefer) and his autistic 10 yr. old son Jake, who he can’t communicate with at all. It’s only when the State tries to take Jake away that Martin sees that his kid has “special” communication abilities with numbers and how they connect to people he doesn’t even know. I’m not sure where it goes from there. Or if I even care. (mid-season show)

Your favorite shows that WILL be returning for another season are:

American Dad (Season 7)

American Idol (Season 11) premieres Jan. 22, 2012 following the NFC Championship Game

Bob’s Burgers (Season 2)

Bones (Season 7)

The Cleveland Show (Season 3)

Cops (Season 24)

Family Guy (Season 9)

Fringe (Season 4)

Glee (Season 3)

Hell’s Kitchen (Season 9)

House (Season 8 )

Kitchen Nightmares (Season 4)

MasterChef (Season 2)

Raising Hope (Season 2)

The Simpsons (Season 23)

So You Think You Can Dance (Season 8 )

Mobbed (Specials)

America’s Most Wanted ( 4x a year)

This spring, FOX will celebrate its twenty-fifth birthday with a star-studded look back at the last quarter-century on the FOX 25th Anniversary Special airing Sunday, April 1st. FOX’s biggest stars from both past and present will make appearances to honor the network that began 25 years ago. I wonder if they will invite Joan Rivers?

So there you have it. Do you see anything in their new line-up that you like? Is it better than NBC’s was? They haven’t figured out all of the start dates for all of the shows yet so I couldn’t give you set dates.  When I know, you’ll know.