Fox President Talks J.J. Abrams, Joss Whedon and More

Oh, Kevin Reilly, you lucky bastard. It didn't really hit me until this morning at the TV Critics Press Tour that you are working with both J.J. Abrams and Joss Whedon this season. Oh wait, and Mitch Hurwitz (Arrested Development), too?

Seriously, what did you do in your past life? 'Cause it's working.

Anyhoo, for you who are curious, here's what Fox Prez Reilly says of his new show runner trifecta—plus, where things stand on the new 24 and the negotiation woes at Hurwitz's animated series Sit Down and Shut Up...

On whether Joss was hesitant to come to Fox after his bad experience with Firefly: "No. Joss wasn't on my list because we thought there was no way he would do it. But Joss will tell you himself he had an idea he couldn't walk away from. He's respected Eliza Dushku as an actress and wanted to work with her. They got together and when he left that lunch he said, 'Damn, I have an idea now I have to do it.' I have not seen any skittishness. In fact, I've enjoyed working with the guy and his reputation is well-earned."

On whether Fox was looking for a new X-Files or a show from J.J. Abrams: "It was J.J. That's why it started. Peter Liguori and I said J.J. was at the top of our list, so we called him on day one and we offered him a series on day one. And he came up with an X-Files-Indiana Jones type thing, and it sounded good to us."

On 24's halted production last season: "Strangely, I think it was a good opportunity for Howard. He's such a perfectionist that he really wanted this season to be great. Some of you reported on those starts and stops. Although once he got the idea of what it was, it was great. And it was unfortunate that he was interrupted. But this two-hour prequel we're doing in November is going to be a cool piece of business."

On the writers' negotiation woes at Sit Down Shut Up: "I was hoping to have 100 percent finality on the contract by the meeting today, but there are still T's being crossed and it's been a very, very tricky situation. My presumption on what is going to happen is that Mitch will stay with the show and some of the writers will exit the show. Hopefully today we'll be moving forward with a new writing staff."

Which Fox show are you most looking forward to—or not? Comment below...