Glee

CHICAGO – When so much of your already-limited primetime schedule is devoted to reality singing competitions and animated programming, it gives a network little room to play. FOX only has a few timeslots once one takes “The X Factor”/”American Idol” and “Animation Domination” out of the equation. But play they will.

CHICAGO – FOX announced today that they have renewed their three biggest critical hits, the Tuesday night comedies “New Girl,” “Raising Hope,” and “Glee.” Kevin Reilly, President of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company, made the announcement via press release, in advance of the company’s official May Fall schedule announcement. The renewals for smash hit “New Girl” and reliable performer “Glee” came as a surprise to no one. “Raising Hope” was closer to the bubble and so the early renewal makes for good news for its fans.

CHICAGO – FOX continues to struggle to produce a new dramatic hit, announcing this week that the highly-promoted “Terra Nova” would not return for another season of dinosaur action. The cancellation combined with Monday night’s truly dismal ratings for “Alcatraz” has given some hope to “Fringe” fans. They can’t cancel everything, can they?

CHICAGO – The old fashioned musical has gotten a boost from the recent popularity of “Glee” and other singing shows. It was inevitably that the marriage of the gospel choir and the movie musical would take place, and writer/director Todd Graff (”Camp”) is the matchmaker in “Joyful Noise.”

CHICAGO – FOX has confirmed what everyone expected; the animated series “Allen Gregory” starring the voice of Jonah Hill is officially cancelled. The news came today at the FOX Television Critics Association meeting and press tour event in Pasadena.

CHICAGO – It’s no accident that Jane Lynch is one of hottest performers of the moment, despite the title of her new book, “Happy Accidents.” The talented and hilarious Ms. Lynch memorably portrays Sue Sylvester on the popular FOX show, “Glee,” and had time to host the Emmys this year.

CHICAGO – FOX just announced their premiere dates for the 2011-2012 midseason including exactly when to tune in for the return of “American Idol,” along with the highly-anticipated premieres of J.J. Abrams’ “Alcatraz,” new mystery “The Finder,” Kiefer Sutherland drama “Touch,” and the animated adaptation of “Napoleon Dynamite.” They also scheduled the return of two nearly-canceled shows — “Breaking In” and “Bob’s Burgers” — along with announcing that “I Hate My Teenage Daughter,” “Glee,” and “Bones” will be taking some time off in the winter, returning with new episodes in the spring.

CHICAGO – Show creators/executive producers Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk are on quite a roll. After creating the hit series “Nip/Tuck” and putting America in a singing and dancing craze with “Glee,” the pair have created another mega hit with his horror/drama series “American Horror Story.” Now, the pair hit treat instead of trick on Halloween afternoon as FX has given the go ahead for a second season of the series.

CHICAGO – Ryan Murphy (“Nip/Tuck,” “Glee”) returns to the network that turned him into a star with this week’s premiere of the highly-anticipated “American Horror Story,” a new FX series that mixes sex with the supernatural to create something truly unique. The show’s very existence feels like it could be inspired by HBO’s “True Blood” (another show with horror and sex).

CHICAGO – With new shows, it’s always about week two. How far do you drop from the highly-promoted week one numbers when there aren’t as many ads or reviews to remind viewers you’re on the air? CBS’s “Unforgettable” and FOX’s “New Girl” held strong from their week one numbers while “Glee” continued to slide from year to year.