or


[11/14/03 - 12:00 AM]
Correction: FOX to Be 'Cracking' and 'Straight' on Mondays
By Brian Ford Sullivan (TFC)

Correction: FOX has informed us that this information, taken from USA Today's Friday issue, is incorrect. No air date information has been announced yet for either "Cracking Up" or "Playing It Straight."

CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- FOX has provided the first glimpse at its midseason schedule as the network announced today the debuts of two new series. "Cracking Up," a new comedy featuring Molly Shannon and Chris McDonald, and "Playing It Straight," a new reality series that puts a straight twist on Bravo's "Boy Meets Boy," will both premiere Monday, January 12.

"Cracking Up," which will air at 8:30/7:30c, stars Jason Schwartzman ("Rushmore") as Ben, "a psychology graduate student who lands the clinical opportunity of a lifetime when he moves into the guest house of a wealthy Beverly Hills family to counsel their introverted youngest son," according to a network press release. "Once settled into his new surroundings, Ben realizes that this seemingly perfect family home is actually a breeding ground for dysfunction, neuroses, and paranoia and his young patient is the least of his worries."

Schwartzman replaces Nicholas D'Agosto on the comedy, who exited the series in September to become a regular on NBC's "ER" (read the story). Shannon ("Saturday Night Live," "Superstar"), McDonald ("Family Law," "Happy Gilmore"), David Walton, Caitlin Wachs, Jake Sandvig and Nathan Norton round out the cast. Mike White ("School of Rock") created and is the executive producer of the series, a co-production of 20th Century Fox Television and Brad Grey Television, along with Brad Grey.

As for "Straight," which will fill the 9:00/8:00c hour, the reality series follows a single, straight woman as she looks for love among a pool of single men on a Western-style dude ranch. The twist in this case, along the lines of the aforementioned Bravo series, is that some of the men are gay pretending to be straight. If she ultimately chooses a straight mate, she wins a substantial cash prize (believed to be near $1 million) but if a gay man fools her, he gets the cash. Unlike "Boy" however, those involved with the series were aware of the twist at the start of production. Jeremy Mills and Ciara Byrne of Lion Television are the executive producers of the series, which was developed under the title "Who Will She Choose?"

It's not clear how many episodes of each series FOX has ordered or what will air in the Monday, 8:00/7:00c half-hour. FOX had previously announced at its upfront presentation (read the story) that the midseason dramedy "Wonderfalls" was being eyed for the Monday, 8:00/7:00c hour come January however that doesn't seem to be the case any longer. It also seems unlikely that struggling Friday drama "Boston Public" will return to its old Monday home any time soon based on this news.

As for the rest of its midseason schedule, FOX has yet to reveal the exact start date for the third season of "American Idol." Also on tap for midseason are the drama "Still Life," the comedy "The Ortegas," new episodes of "Cedric the Entertainer Presents" and the reality trio of "Love Again," "The Swan" and "The Complex."





  [november 2003]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· AMERICAN IDOL (ABC)
· BOSTON PUBLIC (FOX)
· BOY MEETS BOY (BRAVO)
· CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER PRESENTS (FOX)
· COMPLEX, THE: MALIBU (FOX)
· CRACKING UP (FOX)
· ER (NBC)
· FAMILY LAW (CBS)
· LOVE AGAIN (FOX)
· ORTEGAS, THE (FOX)
· PLAYING IT STRAIGHT (FOX)
· STILL LIFE (FOX)
· SWAN, THE (FOX)
· WONDERFALLS (FOX)





[11/13/25 - 01:36 PM]
Major League Soccer Is Coming to AppleĀ TV Starting in 2026
Starting next season, fans can watch every regular-season match, the annual Leagues Cup tournament, the MLS All-Star Game, the Campeones Cup, the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, and more - all included with an Apple TV subscription.

[11/13/25 - 01:12 PM]
Great American Media Is National Linear, Digital, and Streaming Home of the 137th Rose Parade Presented by Honda
The Rose Parade has named legendary athlete, entrepreneur, and transformative philanthropist, Earvin "Magic" Johnson as Grand Marshal of the 2026 Rose Parade.

[11/13/25 - 11:01 AM]
Peacock Brings the Ultimate Sunday Night Football Watch Party Serving Up Touchdowns and Tea with "Reality Hot Seat" - Streaming Live Throughout the Houston Texans-Kansas City Chiefs Matchup on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 8 P.M. ET
Leading the charge is an all-star panel ready to call the game like it's their favorite reunion special: "Boston Rob" Mariano, Heather Gay, TV and podcast host Justin Sylvester and Kate Chastain.

[11/13/25 - 11:00 AM]
"The Celebrity Traitors" UK to Premiere on Peacock Thursday, Nov. 20
An average of 11.1 million people tuned in to watch the final episode of this year's Celebrity version last week in the UK - the biggest live audience of the year for a single UK TV show.

[11/13/25 - 11:00 AM]
Prime Video Hands Comedy All Stars Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson November 25 Premiere Date for "Good Sports"
Premiering November 25 exclusively on Prime Video, new episodes of "Good Sports" will stream every Tuesday in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

[11/13/25 - 10:00 AM]
12 Bakers Are Ready to Sleigh the Competition and Battle for the Title of First-Ever "Next Level Baker!"
The series premieres Thursday, December 4 at 9:00/8:00c on FOX.

[11/13/25 - 09:45 AM]
Melissa Peterman to Host "Countdown to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade"
On the eve of the iconic "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," viewers will enjoy an all-access look at the Macy's Parade Studio to discover exactly what it takes to create the famous floats and balloons prior to their journey through the streets of New York.

[11/13/25 - 09:32 AM]
Wonder Project's Inspiring Docuseries, "Redemption," Premieres on the Wonder Project Subscription on Prime Video in the U.S. on Sunday, November 16
The limited docuseries chronicles the Ohio State football team's unforgettable 2024 season, culminating in a national championship, but this story goes much deeper than touchdowns and trophies.

[11/13/25 - 09:06 AM]
Golf Channel Announces New Morning Programming Beginning January 2026
New morning programming on Golf Channel is highlighted by on-course reporter Smylie Kaufman bringing his popular show and podcast, "The Smylie Show," to Golf Channel on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. ET.

[11/13/25 - 09:02 AM]
Prime Video Announces November 17 Release Date for "Hazbin Hotel: Live on Broadway" Season 2 Premiere Concert Event
Hosted by series lead Erika Henningsen, at New York's historic Majestic Theater, the concert event features performances of the show's hit songs from Seasons One and Two.

[11/13/25 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Kathleen Madigan: The Family Thread" - Official Trailer - Prime Video
The one-hour special will premiere November 21, 2025 on Prime Video.

[11/13/25 - 09:00 AM]
HBO Original Documentary "The Shuffle" Debuts November 25
The documentary is the first in a new series of short football films, made in partnership with NFL Films, and will debut in advance of the new season of "Hard Knocks: In Season with the NFC East."

[11/13/25 - 08:30 AM]
"Mad Men" Comes to HBO Max December 1
This marks the first time the series is available to stream in 4K, giving audiences and longtime fans the opportunity to enjoy the series' authentically-crafted elements with crisp detail and enhanced visual clarity.

[11/13/25 - 08:03 AM]
Star Designer Bobby Berk Turns Chaotic Collections Into Dream Digs in New HGTV Series "Junk or Jackpot?" Premiering Friday, Dec. 26, at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT
Executive produced by actor, wrestler and entrepreneur John Cena, the six-episode season will follow Bobby as he meets passionate people who are in desperate need of a life-changing renovation and will soon discover the hidden monetary value of their massive and unusual collections.

[11/13/25 - 08:00 AM]
Apple TV Unveils First Look and Premiere Date for All-New Wildlife Series "Born to be Wild"
Filmed over several years across three continents, the six-part documentary series follows six endangered young animals as they grow up in our world but are destined to return to theirs.