Fox slots 'Lot' bow next to 'Idol' Spielberg hopes to ride reality wave
Steven Spielberg's relying on an assist from Simon, Paula and Randy to launch his new reality contest "On the Lot." The filmmaker competish, which comes from Spielberg, Mark Burnett and DreamWorks TV, will bow on Wednesday, May 16 with a one-hour audition episode. Premiere will air along with the penultimate "American Idol" Wednesday installment.
The "On the Lot" debut was one of several summer scheduling moves announced Wednesday by Fox. Net is getting a jump on the competish by marking its summer territory now - three months before the season officially ends.
After its premiere, "On the Lot" -- which follows 16 aspiring movie makers as they compete for a $1 million DreamWorks development deal - will take a week off. That's because Fox will be busy celebrating the "American Idol" finale (which has more or less become an official national holiday) on May 22 and 23.
"On the Lot" will then return on Monday, May 28, with a special two-hour episode, featuring films produced by all 16 contestants. The first elimination show, in which four contestants will be axed, will air on Tuesday, May 29, for an hour at 8 p.m.
Show will then revert to its regular sked pattern: "Film Premiere" episodes will air Mondays at 9 p.m. starting June 4, while "Box Office" results shows will air as a half-hour on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. beginning June 5.
In other summer scheduling news, Fox will roll out the third season of hoofing competish "So You Think You Can Dance" the night after the "Idol" finale, with a special premiere Thursday, May 24 at 8 p.m.
"Dance" then moves to its regular Wednesday 8 p.m. slot on May 30, with a sepcial two-hour edition. "Dance" result shows will eventually air Thursdays at 8 p.m.
Also, sitcom "The Loop" will return to the air on Sundays at 9:30 p.m. beginning June 10. And hot-tempered chef Gordon Ramsay re-opens "Hell's Kitchen" on Mondays at 8 p.m. beginning June 25.
At least Fox is scheduling a good amount of new programming for the summer. Let's hope some of the other networks follow suit. Summer would be a lot less boring with some good original programming.
