The Fifth Season of "Glee" Begins Tonight on FOX

Glee beings its fifth season tonight at 9:00 ET on FOX. The musical/comedy/drama will pay tribute to the Beatles in the first two episodes and then tackle the loss of Finn Hudson, portrayed by Cory Monteith, who died this past summer, in the third. The series will then go on hiatus until the baseball playoffs are over. Only a few original characters will be seen regularly during the fifth season, including Rachel (Lea Michele), Kurt (Chris Colfer), and Sue (Jane Lynch). Meanwhile, the recurring newbies from last year, including Jake (Jacob Artist) and Marley (Melissa Benoist), are now series regulars. I think the new characters, along with returning veterans Sam (Chord Overstreet) and Blaine (Darren Criss), will be able to fill the void of the many now recurring original characters. While some may think that Glee is past its prime, I still find the series to be enjoyable and the way in which new characters are introduced and integrated is seamless. The series has already been renewed for a sixth (and possibly final) season.

New Series Spotlight: "Sleepy Hollow" Debuts Tonight on FOX

The headless horseman rides again beginning tonight in Sleepy Hollow on FOX. Based on the classic story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, by Washington Irving, the series features Ichabod Crane (Tom Mison), who dies in 1790, only to reawaken in 2013 in the town of Sleepy Hollow. Joining him, of course, is the Headless Horseman (Richard Cetrone), who continues on his murderous rampage. The time travel idea is interesting and I am looking forward to watching the pilot episode. Sleepy Hollow debuts tonight, at 9:00pm ET on FOX.

Check out the trailer here.

Analysis: The Fox 2013-2014 Television Schedule

With most of its schedule intact, Fox will introduce only four new series in the fall, one drama (Sleepy Hollow - pictured above), two comedies (Dads and Brooklyn Nine-Nine) and one reality show (Junior Masterchef). Fox will continue to rely on The X Factor and several animated series on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday,  respectively, while Monday and Tuesday should do relatively well with Bones and New Girl. Like the other networks, Fox appears to be throwing in the towel on Friday, with the odd pairing of Junior Masterchef and encore episodes of Sleepy Hollow, whose original episodes will air after Bones on Monday evenings.

In the spring of 2014, Fox appears to be more serious about Friday evenings, with the relocated Bones at 8:00pm, followed by the ratings starved Raising Hope and new entry Enlisted. The return of The Following and American Idol should result in decent ratings for the network through the spring. With so many series being switched out from fall to spring, Fox's schedule looks similar to a cable network, such as TNT.

I am interested in sampling Sleepy Hollow and will continue to watch The Following and Glee, which simply does not receive the credit that it deserves.

FOX's 2013-2014 programming schedule:

Fall 2013

Monday
8:00 p.m. “Bones”
9:00 p.m. “SLEEPY HOLLOW”

Tuesday
8:00 p.m. “DADS”
8:30 p.m. “BROOKLYN NINE-NINE”
9:00 p.m. “New Girl”
9:30 p.m. “The Mindy Project”

Wednesday
8:00 p.m. “The X Factor”

Thursday
8:00 p.m. “The X Factor Results Show”
9:00 p.m. “Glee”

Friday
8:00 p.m. “JUNIOR MASTERCHEF”
9:00 p.m. “Sleepy Hollow” (encores)

Saturday
8:00 p.m. Fox Sports Saturday

Sunday
7:00 p.m. NFL Game
7:30 p.m. “The OT”
8:00 p.m. “The Simpsons”
8:30 p.m. “Bob’s Burgers”
9:00 p.m. “Family Guy”
9:30 p.m. “American Dad”

Midseason

Monday
8:00 p.m. “ALMOST HUMAN”
9:00 p.m. “The Following”

Tuesday
8:00 p.m. “DADS”
8:30 p.m. “BROOKLYN NINE-NINE”
9:00 p.m. “New Girl”
9:30 p.m. “The Mindy Project”

Wednesday
8:00 p.m. “American Idol”

Thursday
8:00 p.m. “American Idol Results Show”
9:00 p.m. “RAKE"

Friday
8:00 p.m. “Bones”
9:00 p.m. “Raising Hope”
9:30 p.m. “ENLISTED”

Saturday
8:00 p.m. Fox Sports Saturday

Sunday
7:00 p.m. NFL Game
7:30 p.m. “The OT”
8:00 p.m. “The Simpsons”
8:30 p.m. “Bob’s Burgers”
9:00 p.m. “Family Guy”
9:30 p.m. “American Dad”

New Programs

COMEDY

“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”
A comical detective (Adam Samberg) at a New York precinct must adhere to his new by-the-book boss (Andre Braugher) who wants him to grow up and respect the badge.

“Dads”
Two successful men in their thirties (Seth Green, Giovanni Ribisi) must adjust to the arrival of their fathers (Martin Mull, Peter Riegert), who move in with them in this multi-camera buddy comedy from executive producer Seth MacFarlane.

“Enlisted”
A soldier (David Keith) returning home after several years takes on the even tougher assignment of working together in the Army with his two dysfunctional brothers (Geoff Stults, Parker Young) at a small based in Florida.

“Murder Police” (midseason)
A dedicated, but inept detective and his motley colleagues in a twisted city precinct is the focus of this new animated comedy. Actors lending their voices to what sounds like an animated version of classic comedy “Barney Miller” include Will Sasso, Lane Lynch, Chi McBride, Justina Machado, Jason Ruiz and Wilmer Valderrama.

“Surviving Jack” (midseason)
Based on Justin Halpern’s book “I Suck at Girls,” a boy becomes a man (Connor Buckley) and a man becomes a father (Chris Meloni) in this 1990s Southern California-based single camera half hour.

“Us and Them” (midseason)
Based on British BBC2 series “Gavin & Stacey,” two very different lovers (Jason Ritter, Alexis Bledel) meet and try to make a long distance relationship work.

DRAMA

“Almost Human”
Set in Los Angeles in the not so distant future, human police officers are partnered with highly evolved androids with very different human characteristics. J.J. Abrams is an executive producer.

“Gang Related” (midseason)
A gang member who infiltrates the San Francisco Police Department and rises through the ranks is the focus of this police-themed drama. Terry O’Quinn co-stars

“Rake” (midseason)
Based on an Australian series of the same name, the chaotic and comedic life of a divorced criminal defense attorney (Greg Kinner) is the focus.

“Sleepy Hollow”
After being mortally wounded in a Revolutionary War battle, a man (Orlando Jones) wakes up two centuries later in the town of Sleepy Hollow and realizes the person he killed, The Headless Horseman, has also returned from the dead.

REALITY

"Junior Masterchef"
Targeted to kids between the ages of 8 and 13 who enjoy cooking and featuring Gordon Ramsay, “Junior Masterchef” give these budding young cooks the opportunity to showcase their talent and culinary expertise through a series of challenges and cook-offs.

FOX Announces Programming Schedule for 2013-2014

Fox will debut 11 new series during the 2013-2014 television season, which seems like a lot for the network that not too long ago had the juggernaut known as American Idol to rely on for ratings dominance. That is no longer the case and with mediocre results for The X Factor, FOX has some work to do. Look for an analysis of the new schedule next week.

FOX's 2013-2014 programming schedule:

Fall 2013

Monday
8:00 p.m. “Bones”
9:00 p.m. “SLEEPY HOLLOW”

Tuesday
8:00 p.m. “DADS”
8:30 p.m. “BROOKLYN NINE-NINE”
9:00 p.m. “New Girl”
9:30 p.m. “The Mindy Project”

Wednesday
8:00 p.m. “The X Factor”

Thursday
8:00 p.m. “The X Factor Results Show”
9:00 p.m. “Glee”

Friday
8:00 p.m. “JUNIOR MASTERCHEF”
9:00 p.m. “Sleepy Hollow” (encores)

Saturday
8:00 p.m. Fox Sports Saturday

Sunday
7:00 p.m. NFL Game
7:30 p.m. “The OT”
8:00 p.m. “The Simpsons”
8:30 p.m. “Bob’s Burgers”
9:00 p.m. “Family Guy”
9:30 p.m. “American Dad”

Midseason

Monday
8:00 p.m. “ALMOST HUMAN”
9:00 p.m. “The Following”

Tuesday
8:00 p.m. “DADS”
8:30 p.m. “BROOKLYN NINE-NINE”
9:00 p.m. “New Girl”
9:30 p.m. “The Mindy Project”

Wednesday
8:00 p.m. “American Idol”

Thursday
8:00 p.m. “American Idol Results Show”
9:00 p.m.  “RAKE"

Friday
8:00 p.m. “Bones”
9:00 p.m. “Raising Hope”
9:30 p.m. “ENLISTED”

Saturday
8:00 p.m. Fox Sports Saturday

Sunday
7:00 p.m. NFL Game
7:30 p.m. “The OT”
8:00 p.m. “The Simpsons”
8:30 p.m. “Bob’s Burgers”
9:00 p.m. “Family Guy”
9:30 p.m. “American Dad”

New Programs

COMEDY

“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”
A comical detective (Adam Samberg) at a New York precinct must adhere to his new by-the-book boss (Andre Braugher) who wants him to grow up and respect the badge.

“Dads”
Two successful men in their thirties (Seth Green, Giovanni Ribisi) must adjust to the arrival of their fathers (Martin Mull, Peter Riegert), who move in with them in this multi-camera buddy comedy from executive producer Seth MacFarlane.

“Enlisted”
A soldier (David Keith) returning home after several years takes on the even tougher assignment of working together in the Army with his two dysfunctional brothers (Geoff Stults, Parker Young) at a small based in Florida.

“Murder Police” (midseason)
A dedicated, but inept detective and his motley colleagues in a twisted city precinct is the focus of this new animated comedy. Actors lending their voices to what sounds like an animated version of classic comedy “Barney Miller” include Will Sasso, Lane Lynch, Chi McBride, Justina Machado, Jason Ruiz and Wilmer Valderrama.

“Surviving Jack” (midseason)
Based on Justin Halpern’s book “I Suck at Girls,” a boy becomes a man (Connor Buckley) and a man becomes a father (Chris Meloni) in this 1990s Southern California-based single camera half hour.

“Us and Them” (midseason)
Based on British BBC2 series “Gavin & Stacey,” two very different lovers (Jason Ritter, Alexis Bledel) meet and try to make a long distance relationship work. 

DRAMA

“Almost Human”
Set in Los Angeles in the not so distant future, human police officers are partnered with highly evolved androids with very different human characteristics. J.J. Abrams is an executive producer.

“Gang Related” (midseason)
A gang member who infiltrates the San Francisco Police Department and rises through the ranks is the focus of this police-themed drama. Terry O’Quinn co-stars

“Rake” (midseason)
Based on an Australian series of the same name, the chaotic and comedic life of a divorced criminal defense attorney (Greg Kinner) is the focus. 

“Sleepy Hollow”
After being mortally wounded in a Revolutionary War battle, a man (Orlando Jones) wakes up two centuries later in the town of Sleepy Hollow and realizes the person he killed, The Headless Horseman, has also returned from the dead. 

REALITY

"Junior Masterchef"
Targeted to kids between the ages of 8 and 13 who enjoy cooking and featuring Gordon Ramsay, “Junior Masterchef” give these budding young cooks the opportunity to showcase their talent and culinary expertise through a series of challenges and cook-offs.