As is usual for summer, the big broadcast networks have begun announcing the premiere dates for their Fall 2016 line-up of new and returning shows. The latest to do so is FOX, home of returning fan-favorite dramas like Gotham, Lucifer, and Empire.
Additionally, FOX’s list of new programs includes high-profile adaptations of both the Lethal Weapon and The Exorcist film franchises.
Variety is reporting FOX’s 2016-2017 TV season will officially kickoff on Monday, September 19th, which plays host to the season 3 premiere of Gotham at 8pm and the season 2 premiere of Lucifer at 9pm. Gotham is set to introduce several more popular characters from Batman comics this year, including Vicki Vale and villain The Mad Hatter. Poison Ivy will also be recast, aging her up closer to the vivacious vixen fans are most familiar with. Lucifer is coming off a hit first season, having managed to make the seemingly laughable concept of Satan as a crime fighter work on-screen.
Tuesday, September 20th will see veteran comedies Brooklyn Nine-Nine and New Girl return for their fourth and sixth seasons, respectively, in the 8pm hour. The second season 2 premiere of Ryan Murphy’s horror/comedy Scream Queens series finishes off the night at 9pm, with production having moved from New Orleans to Los Angeles. Wednesday, September 21st at 8pm marks the debut of FOX’s Lethal Weapon adaptation, starring Clayne Crawford (Rectify) and TV mainstay Damon Wayans as the mismatched team of Riggs and Murtaugh. Here’s hoping this works out better for FOX than a similar premise worked out for CBS’ Rush Hour series. Following Lethal Weapon at 9pm is the season 3 premiere of Empire, easily the network’s highest rated scripted show to currently be on the air.
Thursday, September 22nd sees the return of Morris Chestnut-fronted crime procedural Rosewood at 8pm, and the series debut of baseball drama Pitch at 9pm. Friday, September 23rd plays host to the season premiere of long-running reality series Hell’s Kitchen at 8pm, and then becomes possessed by the series premiere of The Exorcist at 9pm. Featuring new characters in a new setting, FOX’s version of The Exorcist seems to be less of an adaptation of the source material and more of a similarly-themed cousin to the famous franchise. Sunday, September 25th closes out premiere week with the returns of Bob’s Burgers, The Simpsons, Family Guy, and The Last Man on Earth. The lone new addition to the Sunday line-up is Jason Sudeikis-starring comedy Son of Zorn. Bones, Sleepy Hollow, Prison Break, and 24: Legacy will arrive during midseason.
Will 2016-2017 finally be the season where FOX overtakes its competitors in the ratings arms race? Probably not, but the network does seem to have a pretty solid line-up of returning favorites and revivals/adaptations of well-known franchises to work with going into the fall and winter.
Gotham season 3 premieres Monday September 19th @8pm on FOX. Lucifer season 2 premieres Monday September 19th @9pm on FOX.
