Brian Bowen Smith/FOXWelcome back, Kiefer Sutherland!
Yes, Jack Bauer himself is returning to Fox on Mondays in the new drama series Touch, the network announced today when unveiling its midseason schedule, which also saw the resurrection of Breaking In, the little comedy that could. Also on the schedule? J.J. Abrams' new drama Alcatraz and The Finder, the highly anticipated Bones spinoff.
So when will viewers be reunited with the 24 alum? And which show received one of TV's most-coveted lead-ins, American Idol?
Alcatraz, which reunites Abrams with Lost alum Jorge Garcia, will debut on Monday, Jan. 16, with a special two-hour premiere at 8 p.m. On Jan. 23, Alcatraz will move to its normal timeslot, 9 p.m., following House at 8 p.m. On March 12, Alcatraz will air another two-hour episode before Sutherland's Touch takes over its timeslot beginning March 19. However, viewers will get their first taste of Touch when Fox airs a special preview on Wednesday, Jan. 25, following an episode of American Idol.
Glee, New Girl and Raising Hope will return to their timeslots on Tuesday, Jan. 17 until March 6, when Breaking In returns to the schedule, premiering at 8:30 p.m. following a New Girl repeat. Fret not, Gleeks! Before you slushie us over the absences of Glee, the network assures that the show will return will all-new episodes in the spring after its winter finale.
American Idol returns for its 11th season on Wednesday, Jan. 18 with a two-hour season premiere. Beginning Feb. 15, Idol will air two-hour episodes on Wednesdays.
The Bones spinoff The Finder will have make its series premiere on Thursday, Jan. 12, following a Bones repeat. Hart Hanson's show landed the "pimp spot" starting Jan. 19, when The Finder will follow American Idol at 9 p.m, landing the network's most coveted lead-in.
Beginning Friday, Jan. 13, Fringe will return to its timeslot at 9 p.m. following Kitchen Nightmares at 8 p.m.
So what do you think of Fox's midseason schedule? Are you excited for Kiefer Sutherland's return to TV? Which new series will you be checking out?