TV Upfronts: Trailers and Analysis on FOX’s New Pilots

This is the busiest time of the year for TV! Upfronts have been a flurry of renewals, cancellations, schedule changes, and now new pilot pick-ups. We’ve already highlighted the new shows on CBS, the #1 network of the bunch. Now let’s dig in to FOX!

They had a rough season with two highly touted shows from previously proven creators that didn’t pan out (RIP The Finder and Alcatraz) and their other big dramas have seriously underperformed (Terra Nova and Touch). They only true success for the network was New Girl. 

Which leads me in to the most promising of their new shows, The Mindy Project. Watch the trailer here:

Written by and starring Mindy Kaling, it’s no wonder I’m excited for this project. After being a background character on The Office for eight seasons, she finally gets her chance to shine. This female-driven humor certainly seems like a great fit for New Girl‘s particular brand of awkward dating humor.

The Mindy Project will premiere this fall, airing on Tuesdays at 9:30pm.

Another show getting a promising timeslot is The Mob Doctor, airing after Bones Mondays at 9pm. Watch the trailer here:

Starring Jordana Spiro (My Boys), it looks like an interesting spin on those doctor and mobster dramas. A blending of genres with a strong female lead, this sounds like a good fit for Bones. This seems very on-brand for FOX, but is it too similar to what else is out there? FOX lost Terra Nova and Alcatraz, two shows that were very different from what else is on the major broadcast networks. Those gambles obviously didn’t pan out, so maybe this seemingly safe choice will prove wise.

And lastly, FOX’s new comedy Ben & Kate could be the biggest misfire. Watch the trailer here:

Even just off this trailer, I’m annoyed by Ben. That’s not a good sign at all. They’ll have to find the right balancing act of outlandish behavior and likability for this to even have a chance of working.

And lastly, watch the trailers for FOX’s midseason additions:

The Following

Last season marked a few film actresses making the jump to the small screen, and they were rewarded: 2 Broke Girls and New Girl were among the biggest hits of the crop. Now it looks like Kevin Bacon might be trying to get in on that action. A dark and twisty premise could lure in the viewers.

The Goodwin Games

From the creators of How I Met Your Mother, this looks like another heartfelt comedy about finding yourself in your 20s. While HIMYM is about finding your career and the love of your life, this seems to be about rediscovering your family and childhood. I’m a sucker for comedies that also revel in life’s truths, so this seems right up my alley.

What do you think of FOX’s new shows? Which one do you think has the best chance to succeed?

Follow Kristal Bailey on Twitter @kristal_bailey and remember to follow @ScreenInvasion!