LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- A round-up of the various developments from FOX's upfront presentation that may have gotten lost in the shuffle:
-- "Nanny 911" and "Trading Spouses: Meet Your New Mommy" will both return next season. While not mentioned in the network's press release, the two utility players were both listed as returning series during the actual presentation. It's not clear however if both have been greenlighted for new cycles or if they'll simply continue with unaired episodes from their respective third seasons.
-- FOX also has newcomer "When Women Rule the World" on tap for the 2007-2008 season. The series, from Rocket Science Laboratories, like "Nanny" and "Trading," wasn't mentioned in the network's press release but was later confirmed at the actual presentation. The unscripted series will "reveal how women and men react in a world where women are in charge and men are subservient, and each gender's ability to adapt to a new social order will be put to the test," according to the network.
-- FOX will only carry the World Series and one League Championship Series starting this fall. The news means that the network's regular lineup will be pre-empted at least eight times this fall with a maximum of 14 pre-emptions. Said numbers are down from nearly double that in recent years, when FOX also carried the divisional rounds and both League Championship Series. (TBS will now air the divisional series and alternate League Championship Series with FOX.) Here's a list of FOX's affected dates:
Friday, October 12 - ALCS, Game 1
Saturday, October 13 - ALCS, Game 2
Monday, October 15 - ALCS, Game 3
Tuesday, October 16 - ALCS, Game 4
Thursday, October 18 - ALCS, Game 5 (if necessary)
Saturday, October 20 - ALCS, Game 6 (if necessary)
Sunday, October 21 - ALCS, Game 7 (if necessary)
Wednesday, October 24 - World Series, Game 1
Thursday, October 25 - World Series, Game 2
Saturday, October 27 - World Series, Game 3
Sunday, October 28 - World Series, Game 4
Monday, October 29 - World Series, Game 5 (if necessary)
Wednesday, October 31 - World Series, Game 6 (if necessary)
Thursday, November 1 - World Series, Game 7 (if necessary)
-- "House" will follow FOX's coverage of the Super Bowl next year. The network has given the veteran drama the early nod to lead out of its broadcast of Super Bowl XLII on Sunday, February 3. A new episode of "The Simpsons" and the premiere of "American Dad" followed the big game the last time FOX aired the event in 2005.
-- "Law & Order" franchise alum Walon Green has been tapped as the showrunner of "Canterbury's Law." The Julianna Margulies-led drama revolves around a rebellious defense attorney who pushes the boundaries of the law to protect innocent clients. He'll serve alongside fellow executive producers Denis Leary and Jim Serpico. Dave Erickson created the series and serves as a co-executive producer.
-- In total, the 2006-2007 season spelled the end of 10 FOX series - 11 when counting "The Loop's" upcoming de facto run. Said number is on par with last season, when 13 series got the axe.
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