Bart's Network Gets an 'F'

FOX airs fifteen hours of prime time programming each week.

Between now and November 2nd, nine of those hours will see new programs.

Monday, October 23rd JUSTICE moves to Monday nights, following PRISON BREAK. I'd be curious to hear the logic behind this move. Does JUSTICE really stand any better chance against HEROES than VANISHED?

Friday, October 27th, VANISHED leads off the night, followed by TRADING SPOUSES. What's the point? This past week, the series KILLED OFF ITS LEAD CHARACTER! Why anyone would follow the new version of this convoluted show to a new night after almost three weeks off is beyond me.

Tuesday, October 31st, in a stupefying move that was planned from the beginning, STANDOFF and HOUSE swap time slots, with STANDOFF now leading off the night. I didn't get this when it was announced in May. I still don't understand it. If STANDOFF wraps up its first season in time for AMERICAN IDOL's return to the schedule, wouldn't it make sense to keep the very strong HOUSE as a lead-in as long as possible? Does the network really believe STANDOFF will do better without the benefit of the HOUSE lead-in?

Wednesday, November 1st, BONES gets a new lead-out, THE RICH LIST. Billed as the biggest thing to come from England since WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE, reality says it's cheap fodder that is being sacrificed to LOST.

And then there's the Thursday night launch of THE OC. It's returning at its regular time slot, but it's still another show that has to be added into the promotional mix.

My biggest question is, what's the point? What's the point of launching your new fall lineup before the beginning of the official Nielsen season if you're going to re-rack everything after three weeks off for baseball?

If fans of STANDOFF have made room for the new show in their schedule at 9/8C, why move it at all - let alone after a three week hiatus? Fans of VANISHED who haven't completely rejected the show for disposing of the star, probably aren't going to go to any extra effort to find the show at the other end of the week. New viewers who bump into the show on Friday night aren't going to find an approachable show. It's extremely inaccessible to new viewers.

All the branding and promotional efforts of the fall launch have been pitched out the window. FOX is keeping all of six hours of prime time in place. SIX HOURS. That's a meager 40%. And that doesn't take into account the immenent cancellation of HAPPY HOUR.

40% is an F in anyone's notebook.