Tube Talk's verdict: Fox lineup 2009-10

Fox was the first of the major networks to unveil its full 2009-10 lineup in New York yesterday. You can find the full details here, but read on for our personal highlights!

Biggest Surprise
The renewal of Dollhouse. With fewer than 3 million viewers by the end of its 13 12-episode run, the series was almost certainly joining Firefly on the big old TV scrapheap. The whole industry was taken by surprise, therefore, when Fox confirmed over the weekend that it would be returning Dollhouse for a second season in the Fall.

Various reasons have been suggested for the move - such as "a dedicated fanbase", "the growth in online viewing" and the show's inevitable popularity on DVD/Blu-ray - but the truth is that it is most likely tied into the cancellation of the similarly-underperforming Sarah Connor Chronicles. Both shows have a large crossover audience so the decision to pick up one of the two could be considered a tactical move to avoid pissing off the fans to quite a great extent. Ultimately, Dollhouse is a cheaper show to make and comes from sister studio 20th Century Fox (Sarah Connor is Warners) so the conclusion is clear.

Most Promising New Series
This would be Human Target, the DC adaptation about a man who offers to protect individuals by literally turning into them. It premieres in January alongside 24 then switches to the plum post-Idol slot on Wednesday nights. Freshly released, here's a first look at the series:



Riskiest Move
Moving So You Think You Can Dance into the Fall. The reality dance contest has been a decent summer hit for the network the last few years but could easily flounder in the ferocity of the Fall battlefield, especially with Dancing With The Stars also on the air at the same time. Should it flop, Fox will be left with a huge hole in its schedule on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

Saddest Demise
This will be the first time in five years that Prison Break doesn't have a place in the Fox schedule following its axe earlier this year. Most fans would probably concede that the time was right for it to end, though. Also sad for creator Paul Scheuring, his twisty-drama pilot Masterwork was not picked up to series.

Most UNpromising New Series
The comedy Brothers. This half-hour sitcom is about a retired NFL player who returns to his hometown in a bid to reconnect with his disabled brother. Click play below to see how awful it looks:



And finally
Here's a preview of The Cleveland Show, the long-awaited Family Guy spinoff that has already been renewed for a second series:



What did you think of the Fox lineup? Are you excited about Human Target or The Cleveland Show? Add your comments to this entry below!