FOX Preview

The FOX broadcasting network proved to be the least "bubble-friendly" earlier this afternoon. While the other networks have exercised patience with their middling programming, both "Fastlane" and "John Doe" were shown the door. "30 Seconds to Fame," "Andy Richter Controls the Universe," "Firefly," "Futurama," "girls club," "Greg the Bunny," "The Tick," "Married by America," "Meet the Marks," "Mr. Personality," and "The Pitts" are also gone.

The network is banking on four new fall comedies, and three dramas. They'll hold off on their "good stuff" again until mid-season, like they did with instant classics this season like "The Pitts" and "Oliver Beene." And yes, that IS sarcasm.

We can be thankful that the sordid "Boston Public" is FINALLY getting re-located to a later time-slot, shifting to Fridays at 9. "Wanda at Large," starring Wanda Sykes, is also moving to Friday nights.

Here are the new shows:
"Arrested Development" stars Jason Bateman as a widower who is roped into running the family business when an accounting scandal freezes the family assets. Portia de Rossi and Jessica Walter co-star.

"Luis" stars Luis Guzman ("Boogie Nights") as the owner of a Spanish Harlem donut shop and landlord.

"A Minute with Stan Hooper" marks the television return of Norm MacDonald, who plays a New York magazine commentator who moves to Wisconsin. Cue the "Green Acres" music, please.

A British sitcom is the basis for "The Ortegas," which blends comedy, reality and improvisation. Al Madrigal and Cheech Marin star in the comedy in which parents build a television studio in their backyard, hoping to encourage their young son's dream of being a talk show host.

"The O.C." is Orange County, California, paradise on the outside, but with all of the necessary secret lives to make up a prime-time drama series. My guess is, with the patience of the FOX network, this one will be gone faster than you can say "Pasadena."

Ron Silver and Kevin Anderson star in "Skin," a drama series set against the backdrop of the porn industry.

And Eliza Dushku ("Buffy, the Vampire Slayer") didn't stay unemployed long. She headlines "Tru Calling," as a young woman who learns that she can go back in time for one day to help the lives of others.

By Bill Wilson