Michael Becker / FOXHow many judges will there be next season on American Idol? Why did Terminator have to die? And what inspired Fox to pick up Dollhouse for a second season?
The big bosses at Fox just answered those Q's and many more in a chat with reporters, and we've got the scoop for you right here, right now...
11:42 a.m.: Fox president Kevin Reilly declares that the Dollhouse renewal "is a bet on Joss Whedon." (Discussion topic: Would Reilly do well at the poker tables in Vegas or not?)
11:43 a.m.: Reilly says that Sons of Tucson's Tyler Labine "is a major talent." We agree, but will no one clarify the Reaper situation? (We can't be the only ones assuming Sons of Tucson is set for midseason because that buys Fox a little time to figure out whether or not its show has a lead actor.)
11:44 a.m.: Reilly tells us that Human Target is supposedly funny and actiony like an '80s show. Ooh, just like our summer BFF Burn Notice? Nice, and should be a good match for the natural-born sauciness that is the reason Fox snapped up Mark Valley in the first place.
11:47 a.m.: Bring out yer dead! Bring out yer dead! Reilly announces publicly that Cameron is gone for good: "Terminator has completed its run...that's it for Terminator."
11:55 a.m.: Last year's big Fox advertising push, Remote-Free TV, is dying if not dead. (Jed Whedon told us as much a couple of weeks back, but this is the first confirmation.) What does that mean? More work for Fox show runners: Instead of reducing commercials, Fox is hoping to produce original bumpers, interstitials and podbusters to keep viewers engaged.
11:58 a.m.: New Fox TV exec Peter Rice butters us up: "Creativity on television is at a peak."
12:04 p.m.: The grown-ups talk business. It is important but a wee bit boring.
12:08 p.m.: Someone smartly asks: Since Hell's Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares are not on the Fox schedule, can we assume they are waiting in wings to "replace failure"? And the answer: "They are shows that can be used opportunistically." Erm, to replace failure?
12:11 p.m.: Reilly ducks a question about how many Idol judges there will be next season. Does he not know, not care or just not want to share? Debate among yourselves.
12:14 p.m.: And we're back around to Terminator: Reilly says that cost was "a factor" but mostly that the "ratings trend line was not pointing in the right direction."
Check back later today for news from the shiny, live Fox presentation to advertisers and then the fancy party. Now, what do you think about this Idol judges sitch? If you could have three (or two) judges, which ones would you choose?
And don't forget to check out our gallery of fall's hottest upcoming TV shows.