FOX released their primetime schedule for the upcoming 2012-2013 television season earlier today at its annual Programming Presentation at the Beacon Theatre, according to a press release issued by 20th Century Fox. The most notable changes include moving top FOX hour-long comedy "Glee" from its current Tuesday night at 8:00pm spot to Thursdays at 9:00pm ET/PT, and the additions of three new comedies to the weekly roster: "The Mindy Project," "Ben and Kate," and "The Goodwin Games."
"Television continues to be the most vibrant, emotionally rich platform in the world," said Peter Rice, Chairman, Entertainment, Fox Networks Group. "FOX has been the No. 1 network for eight seasons by delivering groundbreaking, engaging and culturally relevant shows that connect with our audience, not only on-air, but wherever they are in the digital or social space."
The two new comedies, "The Mindy Project" and "Ben and Kate," will be part of FOX's brand-new two-hour comedy block on Tuesdays, along with successful shows "Raising Hope" and "New Girl." "The Mindy Project" will star former "The Office" star Mindy Kaling "as a skilled OB/GYN navigating the tricky waters of both her personal and professional life, as she pursues her dreams of becoming the perfect woman," according to FOX. "Ben and Kate," starring Dakota Johnson (daughter of Don Johnson of "Miami Vice" fame) and Academy Award-winner Nat Faxon, will follow the pair of on-screen siblings and their friends' lives.
Two new dramatic thriller series will debut on FOX this coming season: "The Mob Doctor," (Mondays, 9:00-10:00pm) about a young surgeon caught between her "promising medical career and family's debt to Chicago's Southside mob"; and "The Following," (Mondays) creator Kevin Williamson's cat-and-mouse drama about an ex-FBI agent, played by Kevin Bacon, trying to track a serial killer. FOX also unveiled a new three-and-a-half hour block for FOX Sports Saturday, which will debut this fall from 7:00-10:30pm, and be replaced by long-running reality program "COPS" midseason.
"With first-year culture-driving hits like NEW GIRL and THE X FACTOR and strong returning tentpoles like AMERICAN IDOL and GLEE, we were laser focused on our development and it has really paid off," said Kevin Reilly, President, Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company at Monday's primetime schedule unveiling. "I have no doubt that our two genre-defying new dramas, our new FOX Sports Saturdays, and our three new distinctive, sharp and upscale comedies - all fronted by incredible talent - can propel FOX to even greater success."
