Fox piques interest for final ‘Idol’ season
Fox unveiled a revamp that features five new series, an allnew Tuesday lineup — and a final season of American Idol.
The network, down 20% this season despite quick-starting Gotham and the biggest new hit in hip-hop soap Empire, will front-load its week with comedies starring John Stamos and Rob Lowe; a remake of futuristic Steven Spielberg movie Minority Report; and Scream Queens, a “comedy-horror” series with Emma Roberts and Lea Michele.
But the end of fading Idol, after a valedictory 15th season next year, is likely to draw as much interest, signaling the end of an era. A huge hit in its heyday, the show ushered in other singing contests including The Voice, which has since eclipsed it.
Among newcomers, Grandfathered stars Stamos as a bachelor startled to learn he’s not only a fa- ther, but also a grandfather. And The Grinder stars Lowe as a TV lawyer who moves home to join his brother’s law firm. Drama Rosewood stars Morris Chestnut as a Miami pathologist, and will lead into Empire, remaining on Wednesdays for 18 episodes.
The X-Files reunion will air starting Jan. 24, premiering after Fox’s NFC championship game, and then moves to Mondays. Other midseason series include Lucifer, based on the DC Comics character, and The Frankenstein Code, about a disgraced ex-sheriff who’s brought back to life.
Cancellations include The Following, The Mindy Project and Backstrom.