Fox has set its schedule for January, announcing the premiere dates for the returning American Idol and The Following, as well as the new show Rake.
As previously announced, Fox is premiering the military comedy Enlisted on Friday, Jan. 10. The show, which star Geoff Stults, Chris Lowell and Parker Young, will follow episodes of Bones and Raising Hope.
American Idol’s new season kicks off with a two-night event that starts on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 8 p.m. and on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 8 p.m. Both episodes will run two hours.
Interestingly, Fox has cut Idol’s results shows to just 30 minutes. When the results shows begin in the spring, they will air on Thursdays following episodes of the new comedy Surviving Jack with Christopher Meloni. Fox did not announce a specific date for this change.
Harry Connick Jr., Karl Urban and Jennifer Lopez make up this season’s judges panel.
The Following was a rare midseason hit last year for Fox and earned a second season. The Kevin Bacon-starring serial killer series will kick off its season on Monday, Jan. 10 at 9 p.m. following Sleepy Hollow’s season finale.
Rake is a new legal drama starring Greg Kinnear and will air on Thursdays at 9 p.m. after Idol. However, Fox will use the NFC Championship game to launch the series on Sunday, Jan. 19. Kinnear stars as a brilliant, but troubled criminal defense attorney.
The Animation Domination High-Def winter block is also starting on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 11 p.m. The shows included are Lucas Bros. Moving Co. and Golan The Insatiable.
Here’s the full January schedule:
Friday, Jan. 10: Enlisted (9:30)
Saturday, Jan. 11: Animation Domination High-Def
Wednesday, Jan. 15: American Idol
Thursday, Jan. 16: American Idol
Sunday, Jan. 16: NFC Championship (live); Rake
Monday, Jan. 20: Sleepy Hollow; The Following
Thursday, Jan. 23: American Idol; Rake
image: Fox